The Church of England has backed a plan to test blessing same-sex couples

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The decision was adopted by 227 votes. At the same time, 203 clergy spoke against it.

The Church of England has backed a plan to test blessing same-sex couples. Photo: nito103/Depositphotos

According to Stephen Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, who proposed the innovation, the “experimental” services will be voluntary. No member of the clergy will be forced to conduct them.

“While this proposal has been accepted, we do not underestimate the depth of feeling and will reflect on everything we have heard and seek to move forward together.” Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell said in a joint statement.

At the same time, Daniel Matovu, a layman who is a member of the Synod, said that this proposal is “completely inconsistent with the Word of God.”

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, said that the Synod will consider options that would allow the best implementation of the decision to bless same-sex couples.

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“As we saw again today, the truth is that the Church of England is not unanimous on sexuality and marriage,” – she added.

It also noted that last month the bishops agreed to approve special prayers for the blessing of same-sex couples. They also agreed to begin the two-year process of granting permission for special separate services under canon law.

We will remind you that we previously wrote that the Pope suggested the possibility of blessing homosexual couples.

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