Church of England Bishops Halt Plans to Trial Blessing Services for Gay Couples

Church of England bishops have decided to pause the introduction of separate blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. The move, which has stirred significant debate within the Church, requires broader approval from its governing body before proceeding.

While blessings for same-sex couples can still occur within regular church services, conservative factions argue that distinct blessing ceremonies could be perceived as weddings, conflicting with the Church's official stance that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Stephen Cottrell, the Church's second highest-ranking bishop, stated that the decision was made after careful legal and theological consultation, acknowledging that it may be "difficult and disappointing" for some members.

This announcement follows the recent appointment of Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to hold this position and the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide. Her appointment has been met with criticism from conservative Anglicans, particularly in Africa and Asia, due to ongoing disagreements over same-sex unions and female clergy.

“Abandoning the blessings prolongs the suffering of LGBTQIA people, making their rights the acceptable sacrifice for church unity,” said Charles Bączyk-Bell, a gay Anglican priest from London.

The bishops' decision may reduce some tensions but places Archbishop Mullally in a challenging position, as she had supported the blessing services approved narrowly in 2023 for a three-year trial. However, the Church has struggled to agree on how to implement these blessings practically.

On Wednesday, the bishops effectively shelved the plan by requiring a two-thirds majority approval from the Church's governing body, which includes bishops, clergy, and lay members.

Though the Church does not permit same-sex marriages in its 16,000 churches, it marked a milestone in 2022 by allowing priests to bless same-sex couples during regular public services.

The conservative Church of England Evangelical Council criticized the bishops for not fully resolving the issue, leaving many questions unanswered.

Source: Reuters | Article adapted