But at least they made the correct decision.)
Yeah...
Posted on 02/14/2026 8:32:00 PM PST by SeekAndFind
The Church of England’s General Synod has voted to end plans for stand-alone blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in churches after extended debate. The decision also closes a years-long process that had examined whether such ceremonies could be introduced.
Members this week approved a motion from bishops to conclude the Living in Love and Faith process and halt further work toward permitting special services for same-sex couples in civil marriages, The Telegraph reported.
The vote followed hours of discussion and confirmed that agreement between conservative and liberal factions had not been reached.
The Synod supported forming new working groups on relationships, sexuality and gender to continue discussion in the future rather than advancing blessing ceremonies now, according to Church Times.
The motion included an apology for the distress and pain experienced during the process and formally drew the nine-year project to a close.
Bishops had concluded that theological and legal barriers prevented the introduction of stand-alone blessing ceremonies at this stage. The Synod nevertheless held that conversation on the issue should continue through newly established bodies.
Gay marriage and dedicated blessing services for same-sex couples are therefore excluded from current church practice.
Blessing prayers within regular Sunday services remain permitted under rules introduced in 2023.
The vote in favor of the bishops’ motion passed by 252 votes to 132, with 21 abstentions. Separate tallies recorded strong majorities in the houses of clergy and laity and unanimous support among bishops, with two abstentions.
Attempts to amend the bishops’ motion from both liberal and conservative sides failed. Proposals included extending the project, accelerating the movement toward blessing ceremonies or removing planned working groups.
The conclusion of Living in Love and Faith ends the nine-year program that included the past three years of work toward permitting special services for couples already married in civil ceremonies.
Documents released before the meeting showed the wider project had cost about £1.6 million ($2.18 million) between 2017 and 2025.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell acknowledged disappointment during the debate and said the denomination had reached a place he had not hoped for three years earlier, according to the BBC. He also said bishops accepted responsibility for failures in the process and for relying on ambiguity where clarity had been needed.
Cottrell apologized for the pain and tension felt across the denomination and said bishops sought to express sorrow for their role. He said they had been wrong to treat Living in Love and Faith as a project to be delivered.
Conservative members spoke about distress linked to uncertainty over traditional teachings. Some said the pain experienced by those holding historic biblical doctrine required recognition alongside the experiences of LGBT-identified members.
Busola Sodeinde, a lay member of the Synod, was quoted as saying that Anglicans in the Global South believed they hadn't been adequately consulted and objected to being labeled homophobic.
Some Anglican churches outside England have taken different positions on same-sex marriage or blessings. Decisions within the Synod do not determine teaching in other provinces of the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally told Synod the debate had touched core theological convictions and identity within the Anglican denomination. She said the process had left individuals and the institution wounded, but expressed gratitude that members remained engaged.
I know the blasphemy of those who claim to be believers, but belong to the synagogue of death. On the floor will they be___
I imagine they feared a split from the Anglican churches in the southern hemisphere if they didn’t back down. Those in the south are much more conservative.
There is hope yet. A slim one, but still
The Synod supported forming new working groups on relationships, sexuality and gender to continue discussion in the future rather than advancing blessing ceremonies now
Sad that it took long debate when Scripture is clear what marriage is and what God thinks of homosexuality.
But at least they made the correct decision.
A fish rots from the head down. Archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope and others 'heads/leaders' of churches are bending to the values and morals of the world to the hurt of church members.
BTW - scripture makes it clear that women should not be Bishops or pastors. The likes of the Sarah Mullally's and Mariann Edgar Budde's have no business leading a church - according to scripture. Their appointments are the fruit of feminism.
Nothing is settled. Putting it off for a more convenient time.
Meanwhile, openly Sodomite clergy are A-OK.
I spell "Sodomite" with a capital-S because it is the name of a religious persuasion.
I am literally astonished, but thankful that theology common sense has prevailed. May the lost repent and be saved.
That said, it's clear that the activists are determined to keep on trying. It's what split the UMC after decades of wrangling, and of course the apostates got to keep the buildings or demand ransom for them.
(I am literally astonished, but thankful that theology common sense has prevailed. May the Lost repent and be Saved.)
✝️✝️🙏🙏🛐🛐
Genesis 19:4-11
King James Version
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, DO NOT SO WICKEDLY.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, AND HE WILL NEEDS BE A JUDGE: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2019%3A4-11&version=KJV
People who want to further this agenda
are flying in the face of Almighty God
2nd Peter 2:6-9
New King James Version
6 AND TURNING THE CITIES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH INTO ASHES, condemned them to destruction, MAKING THEM AN EXAMPLE to those who afterward would live ungodly;
7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was OPPRESSED BY THE FILTHY CONDUCT OF THE WICKED
8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, TORMENTED HIS RIGHTEOUS SOUL from day to day BY SEEING AND HEARING THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS)—
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment,
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202%3A6-9&version=NKJV
When muslims take total control of England this will all change with sharia law being introduced.
I’d like to think the worm is turning at reading this news, but the left is dead set on their agenda. If homoleftists can’t get the CoE to do their will, they will kill it altogether.
YEP
Just wait until
“LGBTQ+ 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 for Palestine”
Meets REAL MUSLIMS
in the Middle East
🍿🍿🍿
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