C of E bishops’ compromise on same-sex marriage will not settle painful divisions

Activists from the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement at the general synod in London in 2017. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/PA Images

The Church of England bishops’ proposals on same-sex marriage are intended to settle 40 years of painful divisions and often bitter argument.

But the compromise – rejecting same-sex marriage in church while backing clergy blessings of civil same-sex marriage – means the rift between theological conservatives and pro-equality progressives is likely to continue.