Wed | Jul 1, 2026

Church of England allows blessings for same-sex couples

Published:Thursday | February 9, 2023 | 3:53 PM
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell (left) and The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, gather at the General Synod of the Church of England, at Church House to consider a motion that reviews the church's failure "to be welcoming to LGBTQI+ people" and the harm they have faced and still experience, in London, Thursday, February 9, 2023. (James Manning/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP) — The Church of England's national assembly on Thursday voted to let priests bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships, while continuing to ban church weddings for the same couples.

Bishops proposed the compromise measure after five years of discussions about the church's position on sexuality.

It was approved by the church's General Synod, which is made up of bishops, clergy and lay people from around the country, following eight hours of debate over two days at a meeting in London.

The measure included an apology for the church's failure welcome LGBTQ people.

But it also endorsed the doctrine that marriage is between one man and one woman, meaning priests are still barred from marrying same-sex couples.

“I know that what we have proposed as a way forward does not go nearly far enough for many but too far for others,” the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, said in a statement.

“It is my prayer that what has been agreed today will represent a step forward for all of us within the Church — including LGBTQI+ people — as we remain committed to walking together.”

Jayne Ozanne, a gay rights campaigner and member of the synod, said she was “deeply disappointed” that conservatives had stifled the church's debate on sexuality.

The synod earlier this week rejected an amendment proposed by Ozanne that would have put the issue of marriage equality back on the agenda later this year.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013, but the church didn't alter its teaching on marriage when the law changed.

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