The Church of England has made the decision to not permit same-sex marriages within its churches but will allow priests to bless same-sex unions based on civil marriages.
The decision comes after years of debate concerning the church’s stance on sexuality. Same-sex marriage was legalized in England and in Wales since 2013 but the church did not alter its position on marriage with the transformation of the law. Archbishop Justin Welby said that the new proposals “will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others.”
Further, Welby said that this decision portrays the Church of England’s “diversity of views” on matters of “sexuality, relationships, and marriage.”
CBN News reports:
Under the proposals, the Church of England’s stance that the sacrament of matrimony is restricted to unions between one man and one woman will not change.
However, same-sex couples would be able to have a church service with prayers of dedication, thanksgiving, or for God’s blessing after they have a civil wedding or register a civil partnership.
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“This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships, and marriage. I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our church,” Welby said.
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