Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Church of England’s national assembly, the General Synod, will today vote on whether to adopt blessing prayers for same-sex couples in civil marriages
(Picture: Getty Images)The Church of England‘s national assembly, the General Synod, will today vote on whether to adopt blessing prayers for same-sex couples in civil marriages.
While same-sex marriage has been legal for 10 years in England and Wales, the state church does not allow its ministers to marry same-sex couples.
MPs and members of the LGBTQ+ community are calling on the church to change its stance. The Government is reportedly considering its options to give the church “a push”.
What are the current Church of England rules around same-sex marriage?
The law currently prevents Church of England ministers from carrying out same-sex marriages and there are no authorised services for blessing a same-sex marriage.
Despite this, the church says that “your local church is still there for you”.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013.
The Church of England rules differ from Scotland and Wales’s equivalents.
In Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland both allow same-sex weddings.
In Wales, the Anglican Church does not allow same-sex weddings in church but does provide an authorised service of blessing.
What will the Church of England debate?
In January, Church of England bishops refused to support a change that would allow priests to marry same-sex couples.
The proposal came after five years of consultation and debate on the church’s position on sexuality.
On February 8, the General Synod will debate the Church of England’s proposal not to allow priests to marry same-sex couples.
The General Synod considers and approves legislation that affects the church.
It is thought that the church will not change its stance to allow same-sex marriage. Instead, it will offer “prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God’s blessing" to same-sex couples following a civil marriage.
Government considering its options
MPs are said to be considering repealing a law that allows the Church of England to govern itself.
Labour MP Chris Bryant, a former Anglican priest, said the church’s position was “causing very real pain and trauma. If the church won’t act, then parliament should give it a push,” as reported by the Guardian.
The government could also strip the Church of England of its exemption from the Equality Act.
Sandi Toksvig launches petition
Actress and comedian Sandi Toksvig has launched a petition calling for the 26 bishops who sit in the House of Lords to be removed. At the time of writing, it had been signed by more than 48,000 people.
“Whatever goes on inside religious organisations, the Church should not be allowed to hold sway in the Houses of Parliament,” Toksvig said. “It doesn’t matter what your faith is or even isn’t, it’s discriminatory and it has to stop.
“This petition calls for the removal of the Church Of England’s privilege to appoint bishops into the House of Lords, and remove existing bishops currently sitting in the House of Lords.”
As the Actress said to the Bishop… #comeoutforlove pic.twitter.com/fIFJkGVZzr
— Sandi Toksvig (@sanditoksvig) January 26, 2023
In January, Toksvig met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and said after the meeting: “The state church and the society it purports to represent are not remotely in step.
“I do not intend to wait upon the church. In the next few weeks, I will be reaching out to the LGBT+ community and all our allies to see what can be done. The present position is untenable.”
