Church of England to permit ‘blessings’ of same-sex {couples} in trial transfer after shut vote
The Church of England will quickly bestow “blessings” on same-sex {couples} on a trial foundation, officers stated Wednesday after a vote to permit the ceremonies.
But the change could ship a “final blow to the unity of the Anglican Communion,” the Church of England Evangelical Council, a caucus of theologically conservative Anglicans, stated in an announcement.
The Church of England is the founding physique of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which incorporates the Episcopal Church within the United States.
Debates over same-sex relationships have fractured the worldwide denomination. Conservative Anglicans have bristled below strikes to just accept same-sex {couples} and homosexual clergy, whereas some congregations have left to kind extra conservative associations.
The church’s General Synod permitted a movement to advance the implementation of a standalone blessing service based mostly on texts known as “Prayers of Love and Faith,” which the church’s information service stated had been for a same-sex couple “who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God.”
The church’s House of Bishops deliberate a two-year phase-in of the ceremonies, however a movement from the Right Rev. Dame Sarah Mullally, bishop of London, known as for a short lived use of the ceremonies whereas the formal adoption course of proceeds.
Bishop Mullally’s movement handed 227-203, with 5 abstentions. Bishops, who voted 23-10 in favor of the movement, had been extra supportive than clergy delegates, who voted 100-93, and lay members, who voted 104-100. Four bishops and one clergyperson abstained.
The church’s high two clerics, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, acknowledged the charged nature of the synod’s determination.
“While this motion was passed, narrowly, we do not underestimate the depth of feeling and will reflect on all that we have heard as we seek to move forward together,” the 2 stated in an announcement following the vote.
The Rev. Canon John Dunnett, nationwide director of the Church of England Evangelical Council, stated the motion exhibits “the Church of England no longer sees Scripture as our supreme authority” and marks a “watershed moment” for the church.
“If the bishops continue with the implementation of their proposals, we believe this will have a devastating impact on churches across the country and beyond,” he stated.
