Gay church of england
Factsheet: Sexuality and the Church of England
by Dr Susannah Cornwall
The Church of England is in the midst of a complex and fraught internal debate over queer marriage and LGBT issues. Currently it bans gay weddings in churches, allows prayers of back to same sex couples monitoring a civil partnership or marriage and allows clergy to go in a civil partnership
What is the Church of England&#;s position on same-sex marriage?
The Church of England is the state church in England. The Church of England’s church law (Canon Law) is part of English law. Homosexual marriage was made legal in England and Wales by the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act
The Church of England and Church in Wales sought exemption from the law, and as a finding it is not legally achievable for them to celebrate homosexual marriages. It would not be possible for them to legally celebrate same-sex marriages until such time as their Canon Regulation was changed.
The Church in Wales voted in September to propose prayers of blessing to couples in same-sex marriages. However, the Church in Wales can still
Church of England backs services for queer couples
BBC News
Gay couples will be able to have special services of blessing in Church of England parishes for the first time.
The services, while not formal weddings, will be able to include the wearing of rings, prayers, confetti and a blessing from the priest.
The amendment to back the services on a trial basis passed the Church's parliament by one vote.
The Church of England's official teaching is that marriage is only between one man and one woman.
Earlier this year, bishops refused to back a alter in teaching which would have allowed priests to join same-sex couples, but said they would allow prayers of blessings for people in gay relationships as part of wider services.
It had been thought endorsement for standalone services might not reach for well over a year from now.
But Wednesday's vote, which passed narrowly in the General Synod, the Church's legislative body, means distinct services of blessing could now be allowed, rather t
Church of England says a ‘profound disagreement’ remains on homosexuality
LONDON — The Church of England’s governing body will debate adopting fresh commitments on homosexuality and same-sex couples when it meets later this month, it said on Friday, acknowledging that there remained “profound disagreement” on the matter.
The Church of England — central to the Anglican Communion of 85 million believers across the world — does not allow same-sex marriage, standing by its learning that marriage is between a man and a woman.
However, the centuries-old institution has been wrestling with ways to make people in the LGBTQ society feel more inclusive in its churches, and it has apologized for the “hostile and homophobic response” some had faced.
The Synod, which consists of bishops, clergy and lay members, last November narrowly voted to back special services to bless same-sex couples on a trial basis, although Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby — spiritual leader of the Anglican church — abstained from that vote.
“Synod has position a clear direction for us to move forward, but the
Church of England fails to unite behind same-sex marriage
The Church of England voted to keep a bar on officiating same-sex marriage on Thursday but agreed to allow priests to bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships.
The General Synod — the Church's governing body made up of elected bishops, clergy and lay people — backed the compromise proposal after eight hours of debates across two days.
The suggestion also included an apology to LGBTQ people for failing to welcome them into the Church.
It comes after half a decade of wrangling to transport the Church up-to-date on same-sex marriage — which was legalized in the UK in
"For the first time, the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church," Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell said.
But the offer of blessings has been derided as meaningless after the Synod voted not to change the rules that bar Anglican priests from officiating same-sex marriages.
Same-sex marriage opposers face criticism
Progressive members of the Church ha