Church of England synod moves forward with a test of prayers for same-sex couples
London, UK RNS The Church of England will test-run stand-alone services for blessing same-sex couples after its ruling body, the General Synod, voted to move ahead with implementing special prayers of thanks and dedication for gay couples. The vote to go ahead with the pilot program followed hours of emotionally charged debate about the church’s […]
Church of England to draft pastoral guidance on same-sex couple blessings
London, UK Reuters The Church of England will work towards drafting new pastoral guidance and other material needed to allow same-sex couples to receive blessings from priests over the next few months, it said on Saturday. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, speaks during the Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Paul’s Cathedral, following […]
Divided Church of England to debate blessings for same-sex unions
London, UK Reuters The Church of England’s governing body will deliberate on how priests could carry out blessings for same-sex couples when it gathers in the cathedral city of York for a five-day meeting on Friday. The assembly of bishops, clergy and laity – called the General Synod – is also due to discuss on […]
Church of England allows blessings for same-sex couples
London, UK AP The Church of England’s national assembly on Thursday voted to let priests bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships, while continuing to ban church weddings for the same couples. Bishops proposed the compromise measure after five years of discussions about the church’s position on sexuality. It was approved by the church’s General Synod, […]
Church of England welcomes continuation of public service but urges care
The Church of England has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to allow public worship but have said clergy who have concerns and others who are shielding “should take particular care and stay at home”. In a statement issued this week, Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London and chair of the Church of England’s COVID recovery group, said […]