Bishops of the Church of England Will Not Allow Same-sex Marriages

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LONDON — The Church of England will refuse to allow same-sex couples to get married in its churches under proposals set out on Wednesday in which the centuries-old institution said it would stick to its teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The proposals were developed by bishops, who form one of three parts of Church’s governing body known as the General Synod, after the Church of England’s six-year consultation on sexuality and marriage – among other subjects – and will be put to the General Synod at a meeting next month.

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The Church of England is the core of the wider Anglican communion, which has over 85 millions members in over 165 nations.

“Same-sex couples would still not be able to get married in a Church of England church,” This statement was in response to a BBC report, which stated that bishops opposed a change of teaching to allow priests and gay couples to marry.

The same-sex couple could offer a service without the need for a proposal. “prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God’s blessing on the couple” After a civil marriage, in a church. The legalization of gay marriage in Britain was made in 2013.

The clergy could still use the prayers, but they would not be required to do so. They could also be used in combination “reflecting the theological diversity of the Church,” According to the Church of England, this implied that spiritual leaders could refuse to offer such blessings.

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“I am under no illusions that what we are proposing today will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others, but it is my hope that what we have agreed will be received in a spirit of generosity, seeking the common good,” Justin Welby is the Archbishop for Canterbury.

Separately the Church of England bishops will issue an apologies to LGBTQI+ people later this week. “rejection, exclusion and hostility” According to the statement they were confronted in churches.

The Church of England was established in 1534. It has been split for many years over how to handle same-sex marriages. Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGBT) activists have fought for the same rights as heterosexual Christians.

Welby called upon the bishops to help him address the contentious issue last year. “abound in love for all,” Even though he supported the validity of a 1998 resolution that was rejected, “homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture.” (Reporting by Muvija M. Editing by William James & Mark Heinrich).