Church of England backs blessings for gay couples
The Church of England's governing body on Thursday endorsed plans to let priests offer blessings to same-sex couples, after hours of acrimonious debate highlighted deep Anglican divisions on the issue. The Church's General Synod – comprising hundreds of elected members, which meets two or three times a year – backed the proposals by a wide margin following an eight-hour debate across two days. A total of 250 bishops, clergy and laity supported the reforms, while 181 opposed them and 10 abstained, at a vote held at the Synod gathering in central London. Unveiled last month after nearly six years of internal debate, the plans will not change rules banning Anglican priests from officiating at weddings of same-sex couples. Synod members supported an amendment endorsing that stance, while also voting in favour of the proposal to allow blessings for civil marriages or civil partnerships in a church. They also recognised "the failure of the Church to be welcoming" to LGBTQ people, following an unprecedented apology last month by bishops for the "hostile and homophobic response" they have sometimes faced. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, hailed the Synod backing. "For the first time, the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church," they said. However, the pair recognised there were "deep differences" within the Church on LGBTQ issues. Progressive Anglicans have castigated the moves as not going far enough, while critics claim they are divisive and unwelcome. Jayne Ozanne, a Synod member and LGBTQ campaigner, said she abstained in the vote after being left "deeply disappointed" by conservatives' efforts to stymie more progressive policies on sexuality. On the other side of the debate, John Dunnett, of the Church of England Evangelical Council, said in a video posted on social media that passing the proposals had left Anglicans in a "lose-lose position". "Those of us who have been trying to hold on to the historic teaching on the Church of England, and the position of the majority Anglican Communion are saying things have gone too far," he said. (AFP)