Church Of England Maintains Ban On Same-Sex Marriage

The Church of England has said it will not alter its rules to allow priests to marry same-sex couples after five years of internal debate on the issue.

“Under the proposals, same-sex couples would still not be able to get married in a Church of England church,” the church said in a statement issued.

They can instead “come to church to give thanks for their civil marriage or civil partnership and receive God’s blessing,” it further said.

Bishops had a meeting on Tuesday to finalise recommendations, which would affirm the church’s teaching that Holy Matrimony exists between one man and one woman for life.

The issue will not be put to a vote at the General Synod, the church’s legislative body, when it meets in London early next month.

However, the church said it will issue an apology to LGBTQ people for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have experienced in churches.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said, “Both personally and on behalf of my fellow bishops, I would like to express our deep sorrow and grief at the way LGBTQI+ people and those they love have been treated by the Church.

“We are deeply sorry and ashamed and want to take this opportunity to begin again in the spirit of repentance which our faith teaches us,” he further said.

The Church of Scotland enables same-sex weddings and the Anglican Church in Wales has provided an authorised service of blessing for gay couples.