Church in Wales Governing Body to debate same-sex marriage blessings

Members have deemed the lack of provision for those in committed same-sex relationships to be “pastorally unsustainable” for the Church. The Bishops are now bringing the Bill, which proposes a service of blessing to be used experimentally for five years. It will be up to individual clergy to decide whether they wish to use it.

Approval of the rite would be a statement that the Church in Wales accepted that “the loving and faithful commitment of two persons of the same sex, aspiring to lifelong fidelity and mutual comfort, and who have made a commitment in civil partnership or marriage is worthy of acceptance by the Church”, the paper says.

“While recognising that the bill is controversial, [the bishops] describe it as a step on the way towards repentance of a history in the church which has demonised and persecuted gay and lesbian people, forcing them into fear, dishonesty and sometimes even hypocrisy, and which has precluded them from living publicly and honestly lives of committed partnership.”

The Bishops are urging Governing Body members to debate the Bill in a “respectful and dignified” way, acknowledging that it will raise difficult issues of faith and belief. They have issued a set of pastoral principles intended to guide people towards thoughtful and considerate discussions.

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