Posted on 01/18/2023 4:52:24 PM PST by Ennis85
Church of England bishops have refused to back a change in teaching to allow priests to marry same-sex couples, sources have told BBC News.
They met on Tuesday to finalise their recommendations after five years of consultation and debate on the Church's position on sexuality.
Their proposal will be debated at the Church's equivalent of a parliament - the General Synod - next month.
BBC News spoke to several bishops present at the meeting who said the Church's teaching that Holy Matrimony is only between one man and one woman would not change and would not be put to a vote.
But the Church confirmed "prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God's blessing" on same-sex couples will be offered following a civil marriage or partnership.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013. But when the law changed, the Church did not change its teaching.
In 2017, the Church of England began an extended consultation period called "Living in Love and Faith".
In November last year, the Bishop of Oxford became the most senior Church of England bishop to publicly back a change in the Church's teaching. Although a handful of others supported him, they remained in the minority.
The refusal to propose a vote on allowing same-sex marriage is likely to anger campaigners for change within the Church.
Some have already told BBC News they will ask the synod to strike out the bishops' proposals next month.
The bishops' decision puts the Church of England at odds with its Anglican equivalent in Scotland, The Scottish Episcopal Church, and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which both allow same-sex weddings.
The Anglican Church in Wales has provided an authorised service of blessing for gay couples but does not allow same-sex weddings in church.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Is the COE the Anglican Church?
Yep
Hey,maybe there are actual Christians to be found in the Church of England.
I’m surprised honestly given the news I was hearing of Bishops backing redefining marriage.
They shouldn’t bless their “unions” but at least they aren’t allowing homos to get married in their Church.
“... the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which both allow same-sex weddings.”
John Knox would be so proud.
This is an example of Anglican fudge. They won’t marry them but they will offer a ceremony of blessings upon them. A vain effort to placate the angry and determined pansexuals. But as usual for leftwing zealots, the vote will never be final until they get what they want, even if it takes them ten years and ten votes.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this whatever and this whatever in holy Matrimony ...
That would be some ceremony - a wedding / marriage ceremony where you would not be able to read any passages of Scripture pertaining to marriage as they all define it as that of a husband and wife.
You would think that would tell them something about at least the logic of such a thing.
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