Five hour CofE debate on same sex marriage – in quotes
by Ruth Peacock, Religion Media Centre:
The Church of England’s parliament, the General Synod, spent five hours discussing same sex marriage and blessings yesterday (Wednesday 8 February) in a debate recorded here. The painstaking process involves recorded votes on 28 amendments, which took so long that the business has spilled over to this morning (Thursday). Bishops have proposed a continued ban on same sex marriage, while allowing blessings for same sex couples. The compromise is hotly contested and the divisions were evident in the multiple votes. All amendments were defeated, leaving the proposal intact as it goes into the second day. Here is a selection of quotes from the debate:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said:
“We are not divided but we disagree, and that is very painful…. I know there is fear of a slippery slope, of what may or may not happen at some point in the future, but let us not give in to the fear of a future which we can neither predict nor control…
“We should not be swayed on the issue by groups or lobbies or outsiders…. I have heard them over the last two weeks in Parliament and been told exactly what to do. I am not doing any of it”.
Rev Vaughan Roberts, of St Ebbe’s Oxford: “Now for the first time, if these proposals proceed we will be allowing clergy to bless sexual relationships outside of marriage between a man and a woman and that will mean a de facto change in our doctrine.”
Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft: “I thank God for the LGBTQIA+ clergy, lay ministers and disciples I’ve been privileged to know. I pay tribute to their resilience and dedication and commitment … I’m very sorry it has taken us so long to change.. I hope that this is a stepping stone in the journey and for me I hope that will be equal marriage in our church”.
Rev Robert Lawrence, Newcastle: “Marriage is not a foundation stone of Christian doctrine and nor should we allow the false distinction between civil marriage and holy matrimony to persist.”.
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