Sunday, February 16, 2014

No blessings, no same-sex marriages for clergy: Bishops keep the door shut as Act comes into force

From The Church Times-

AS THE first same-sex marriages loom, the C of E House of Bishops has reiterated its ban on blessings for same-sex unions. It also rules out same-sex marriage for clergy, or for anyone seeking to be ordained.

In a statement issued on Saturday (reproduced in full below), the Archbishops of Canterbury and York write: "We seek to model a distinctive and generous witness to Jesus Christ in our pastoral guidance to the Church at this time." In response to the "new reality" of same-sex marriage, the statement appends the results of a discussion in the House of Bishops meeting held last Thursday.

The Bishops' ruling follows the stance it took throughout the Parliamentary debates that led to the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which comes into force in March. No same-sex weddings will be permitted in C of E churches, unless, at some future date, the whole Church opts in.


More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/14-february/news/uk/no-blessings,-no-same-sex-marriages-for-clergy-bishops-keep-the-door-shut-as-act-comes-into-forcec

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