Hallelujah: New Zealand Anglicans can have sex outside of marriage

From New Zealand-

God has looked favourably upon New Zealand Anglicans this week with confirmation that sex outside of marriage, while not actively encouraged, is not cause for condemnation. This comes days after the Church of England (the mother church of the international Anglican Communion) released pastoral guidance stating that “sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God’s purposes for human beings.”

The five-page statement laid out the Church of England’s stance on sex outside of marriage as well as civil relationships, both same sex and opposite sex. On whether or not the church would allow priests to preside over and bless civil relationships (of any kind), “the House of Bishops affirms that clergy of the Church of England should not provide services of blessing for those who register a civil partnership.”

More here-

https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/29-01-2020/hallelujah-new-zealand-anglicans-can-have-sex-outside-of-marriage/

Church of England stance on sex and marriage is staggeringly stupid

From The Guardian-

I am a lifelong member of the Anglican communion. My current situation in life is that I am happily married – have been for over 30 years – to a woman who is also a lifelong member of the Anglican communion. However, in 2014 I transitioned, and changed from my birth gender, as a man, to my present gender, as a woman.

Just for clarity, then, I would be interested to know whether the Church of England’s latest teaching (New C of E statement on sex in civil partnerships condemned as confused, 24 January) says that my marital relationship with my wife is problematic because we are both women? Or whether it says that I am “not really a woman”, and so my marital relationship at any rate is quite unproblematic?
To put it another way, I am wondering whether the church’s attitude to me now is essentially one of homophobia, or transphobia. I look forward to its pastoral guidance on this difficult question.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/27/church-of-england-stance-on-sex-and-marriage-is-staggeringly-stupid

Sex is for male-female marriage only, Church of England confirms

From Christianity Today-

Sex only belongs in heterosexual marriage, a new statement from the Church of England's House of Bishops has declared.


In a document responding to the introduction of mixed-sex civil partnerships, the Bishops say: "For Christians, marriage – that is the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.

But they also add: "In its approach to civil partnerships the Church seeks to uphold that standard, to affirm the value of committed, sexually abstinent friendships and to minister sensitively and pastorally to those Christians who conscientiously decide to order their lives differently."

The statement affirms: "Sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God's purposes for human beings. The introduction of same sex marriage... has not changed the church's teaching on marriage or same sex relationships."

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/sex-is-for-male-female-marriage-only-church-of-england-confirms/134075.htm

Perhaps The Time Has Come

From The Living Church-

It is an idea which has been mooted on each side of the marriage debate aisle. It has in the main garnered no popular support. But the time has come once more within the Church to debate whether we should cease to perform any marriages—whether same-sex or traditional—which are also legal acts of the State. Should we cut the final Constantinian tether by which the priest serves simultaneously as civil agent? Should we “go European” such that the couple would be declared to be married when they go to get their license, and then receive a blessing, with vows and rings, in a nuptial liturgy in Church.

Let me clear up some immediate misunderstandings. Yes, your child can have the very same service (and reception), except for a few small liturgical emendations. And no, this does not really change much the divide between traditionalists and progressives on marriage.

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2019/11/08/perhaps-the-time-has-come/

Single, not married, is the new church norm

From Australia-

Does the church have any idea how to treat single people?

Eternity’s With All Due Respect podcast recently welcomed Dani Treweek into the recording studio to help answer this loaded question. Since completing a theological degree and spending ten years in parish ministry, Dani has thrown herself into extensive research about singleness and the church. She is currently undertaking a PhD, as well as a Fellowship at Anglican Deaconess Ministries in Sydney, with the aim of developing a theological and pastoral ethic of singleness. 

She will continue this work in 2020 as Researcher and Writer in Residence at Moore Theological College’s Centre for Christian Living.

Hosts of With All Due Respect, Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen, fired some informed questions at Dani.

More here-

https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/single-not-married-is-new-church-norm/

Marriage registry changes could lead to £1000 fines, says Church

From Premier (England)-

A new system for registering marriages could lead to criminal offences and £1,000 fines, the Archbishop of Canterbury's marriage licensing office fears.

Under changes which may be law before 2020, couples will no longer be given a marriage certificate at the end of a church wedding.

Instead of being asked to sign a register and certificate, they will instead sign a "marriage schedule", the Faculty Office said.

The couple then have to take this document to their local register office to record their marriage into a database and only then will they get a certificate, it added.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Marriage-registry-changes-could-lead-to-1000-fines-says-Church

Anglican Church raises red flag on rise in broken marriages

From Rwanda-

Marriages are crumbling and the trend is growing, raising concern, not only for Rwanda but also for the entire world, Rev. Canon Dr Antoine Rutayisire, a Senior Pastor at St. Peter’s Remera Parish of the Anglican Church has warned.

“All over the world, families are falling apart. People are getting wealthier, people are getting more educated, but families are falling apart, and [getting] miserable,” Rutayisire said.

He used the platform of the Anglican Church’s annual celebration of Father’s Union on Sunday to deliver a warning against rushing into marriage because of the desire for material wealth.

Rutayisire’s warning comes at a time when Supreme Court figures show that cases of divorce have been rising gradually, from 21 cases in 2016, to 69 in 2017, and 1,311 in 2018.

More here-

https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/anglican-church-raises-red-flag-rise-broken-marriages

‘I do’ – and they have: Couples renew vows, honor Harry and Bess

From Missouri-

Couples from across the United States renewed their marriage vows on the steps of the Truman Library in Independence in celebration of the wedding anniversary of Harry and Bess Truman. The weather was a sweltering compliment to the hot June day when the presidential couple was married 100 years ago at Trinity Episcopal Church, less than a mile away from where the library stands.

Marriages spanning as many as 72 years were renewed following a brief statement by Library Director Kurt Graham.

“We are here celebrating one of the great love affairs in presidential history,” he told the crowd. “They were only married for 53 years ... but it was a lifelong love affair.” That commitment was reflected in the couples gathered for the ceremony.

Pastor Nancy Kerr officiated the ceremony. While most marriage ceremonies feature a few words of advice to the couple, Kerr said no one present needed any.

“It’s pretty apparent there’s a lot of love here today on these steps,” she said.

More here-

https://www.lakenewsonline.com/news/20190629/i-do---and-they-have-couples-renew-vows-honor-harry-and-bess

Pakistani Supreme Court recognises the civil value of Christian marriages

From Pakistan-

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has restored the value and the civil effects of Christian marriage, by ordering the “National Database and Registration Authority” of Pakistan and the Punjab government to reactivate the official registration of marriages celebrated in churches by Christian citizens.

‘Zenit’ reported that the decision was welcomed by Christians in Pakistan. “This marriage registration provision existed before 2013”, said Kashif Aslam, coordinator of the program of the National Commission for Justice and Peace. “Local governments had suspended it, along with a package of other measures, but now the Supreme Court has restored it. The registration of Christian marriages will help to complete the data of marriages in Christian communities.”

The order of the Supreme Court is the result of the appeal presented by Pastor Shahid P. Meraj, dean of the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Resurrection in Lahore. “The lawsuit began in 2018 because the fact that marriages celebrated by Christians had no legal and civil value was considered serious,” Pastor Shahid Meraj told Fides News Agency.

Anglican Bishop Alexander John Malik, at the head of the Anglican Church in Pakistan said during the trial: “According to the Christian Marriage Act of 1872, marriages celebrated in the Church, once completed the register of marriages, are transmitted to the General Chancellery of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This process went on for many years without any problems, however, once the Union Councils on a provincial basis were established, births, deaths and marriages records are transmitted to the Councils of Union, which started, however, not to register Christian marriages anymore.”

More here-

https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/02/01/pakistani-supreme-court-recognises-the-civil-value-of-christian-marriages/?lang=en

Typical C of E church 'held just one wedding last year'

From Premier-

The average Church of England (C of E) church hosted only one wedding last year, figures reveal.

Statistics seen by the Daily Mail show the typical Anglican church also held four baptisms and five funerals.

Harry Benson, a Christian from the Marriage Foundation think-tank told the newspaper: "The Church needs to sell marriage rather than weddings.

"We are all obsessed with celebrity weddings but, in the long term, more couples will marry in church if the Church of England talks about the benefits of a formal commitment."

Approximately 38,000 Church of England weddings were held in 2017, a significant decrease compared to the more than 50,000 ceremonies staged in 2007.

Earlier this year, a survey found the number of people who describe themselves as belonging to the Church of England had reached a record low.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Typical-C-of-E-church-held-just-one-wedding-last-year

Don’t shy away from mass weddings, says All Saints Cathedral

From Uganda-

The leadership of All Saints Cathedral at Nakasero Hill in Kampala, has said when a couple steps forward to register for a mass wedding, this should not be seen as a sign of poverty in which the two have failed to raise money for their individual wedding.

“The act of registering for such a wedding is a sign of running away from sins and entering God’s kingdom by joining holy marriage,” The Church’s communications officer, Mr Ivan Naijuka says.

Speaking to media recently, Mr Ivan Naijuka confirmed the Church’s forthcoming mass wedding scheduled for November 23.

He encouraged Christians from all walks of life, above the age of consent, to join the event, adding that the initiative is organised as part of their corporate social responsibility – aimed at preventing believers from cohabiting.

More here-

http://ugchristiannews.com/dont-shy-away-from-mass-weddings-says-all-saints-cathedral/

All Saints Cathedral to hold mass wedding

From Uganda-

Thirteen couples have registered for the corporate wedding organised by the All Saints’ Cathedral in Kampala this month.

The Church’s communications officer, Mr Ivan Naijuka, said the November 23 event is aimed at preventing Christians from cohabiting. 

According to Mr Naijuka, the church always organises mass holy matrimony because weddings tend to be expensive, especially to the youth, as they have to pay for church dues, wedding receptions, food and drinks, which at times leave them indebted.

“As All Saints Cathedral we’re paying for everything for our couples which includes food and drinks, a cake for each couple, 40 people for each couple, decorations, marriage certificates and registering them with government, among others,” Mr Naijuka said at the weekend.

 More here-

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/All-Saints-Cathedral-hold-mass-wedding--/688334-4836892-h5dbomz/index.html

A new Anglican Church of Kenya bishop has urged leaders to be accountable to the people and not abuse their power. Speaking during his consecration and enthronement, Maseno South Bishop Charles Ong’injo said those holding public offices must account for every penny disbursed to them. “One of the most serious factors affecting development in the counties and Kenya is the greed of leaders to remain in power forever and failing to deliver diligent services to the people,” he said.
Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001301574/new-ordained-bishop-tears-into-leaders

an Church of Kenya bishop has urged leaders to be accountable to the people and not abuse their power. Speaking during his consecration and enthronement, Maseno South Bishop Charles Ong’injo said those holding public offices must account for every penny disbursed to them. “One of the most serious factors affecting development in the counties and Kenya is the greed of leaders to remain in power forever and failing to deliver diligent services to the people,” he said.
Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001301574/new-ordained-bishop-tears-into-leaders

an Church of Kenya bishop has urged leaders to be accountable to the people and not abuse their power. Speaking during his consecration and enthronement, Maseno South Bishop Charles Ong’injo said those holding public offices must account for every penny disbursed to them. “One of the most serious factors affecting development in the counties and Kenya is the greed of leaders to remain in power forever and failing to deliver diligent services to the people,” he said.
Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001301574/new-ordained-bishop-tears-into-leaders

'No-brainer': Sydney Anglicans vote in support of allowing domestic violence survivors to remarry

From Australia-

In a historic moment for the Sydney Anglican Church, and the latest in a series of small victories for Christian survivors of domestic violence, the synod has for the first time voted in favour of allowing divorced survivors of abuse to remarry.


In a secret ballot held on Tuesday night the diocesan synod voted 325-161 in favour of a motion requesting that bishops consider "approving the remarriage of a divorced person, where that person has been abused physically or emotionally by their former spouse".

It was first put to a vote on voices but, because it was too close to call, a ballot was collected — the results of which revealing more support for the motion than synod members had been prepared to show in public.

It had taken 34 years of deliberation.

More here-

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/sydney-anglicans-support-allowing-dv-survivors-divorce-remarry/10425230

Retired bishops rebuff letter from fellow Evangelical bishops that warned of schism over marriage

From The Church Times-

TWO retired bishops, both Evangelicals, have criticised a letter from 11 serving bishops that hinted at a schism in the Anglican Communion should the Church of England change its teaching on marriage.

The 1800-word letter, posted on the website of the Church of England Evangelical Council last week, defines traditional teaching in the light of Resolution 1.10 from the 1998 Lambeth Conference, stating: “We believe that this vision of (1) sexual intercourse as ‘an act of total commitment which belongs properly within a permanent married relationship’, (2) marriage as a union of a man and woman in a covenant of love marked by exclusivity and life-long commitment, and (3) faithful, sexually abstinent love in singleness and non-marital friendships, is the teaching of scripture. It therefore expresses the character and will of God.”

It is addressed to the Bishop of Coventry, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, who chairs the co-ordinating group of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) project. The project was set up by the House of Bishops as an attempt to look more deeply into matters of sexuality after earlier attempts failed to heal divisions (News, 30 June 2017).

In a critique of the letter, posted on the ViaMedia website, the Rt Revd David Atkinson, a former Bishop of Thetford, argues that, far from being fixed: “Christian understanding of the ‘scriptural teaching’ on marriage and sexuality has developed from Augustine, Aquinas and Cranmer, and within Anglican theology in recent decades, not least post-Freud.”

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/19-october/news/uk/retired-bishops-rebuff-letter-from-fellow-evangelical-bishops-that-warned-of-schism-over-marriage

Toward Generous Faithfulness About Marriage

From Springfield-

Beloved in Christ in the Diocese of Springfield,

I am now safely and gratefully back home after serving for 12 days at the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which was held in Austin, Texas. I was joined there by an outstanding cadre of Deputies elected by the diocese: Kevin Babb and Sharon Hoffman (St Andrew’s, Edwardsville), Randy Winn (Trinity, Mt Vernon), Gerry Smith (Christ the King, Normal), Fr Dick Swan (St John’s, Decatur), Mother Sherry Black (St Mark’s, West Frankfort), Fr Dave Halt (St Matthew’s, Bloomington), and Fr Mark Evans (Trinity, Lincoln). They all did you proud.

The convention considered and disposed of, one way or another, over 4oo resolutions. I wrote about some of them on my personal blog, which I encourage you to look at. In this letter, I will focus on just one, because it deals with the most controversial issue our church has faced over the last several decades, which is human sexuality in general and marriage in particular. and it seems important that I communicate to the clergy and faithful of the diocese about this both promptly and clearly.

More here-

https://www.episcopalspringfield.org/toward-generous-faithfulness-about-marriage/

Understand marriage, avoid divorce, Anglican Primate admonishes Christians

From Nigeria-

The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has admonished Christians to understand marriage before going into it, so as to avoid the high rate of divorce in the society.

Okoh said this in an interview with journalists on the sideline of the opening service of the Second Session of the Tenth Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, at Basilica of Grace, Gudu, Abuja, on Thursday.

The theme of the four-day event is: “The Christian Family’’ taken from the Book of 2 Timothy Chapter 1 Verse 5. Okoh, who is also the Archbishop and Bishop of the diocese, stressed that marriage is a lifetime commitment. He, therefore, advised would-be couples understand the dos and don’ts of marriage instead of making children to be produced from their unions to suffer what they know nothing about. “If you notice, there is an increase in divorce; people rush to marry but soon afterward, they are going to court to file for divorce.

Read more at:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/understand-marriage-avoid-divorce-anglican-primate-admonishes-christians/

The Anglican politics of Prince Harry’s wedding

From RNS-

On Friday, Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (TEC), will be giving the sermon at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

For those of you who are interested in the British royal family, this gig would seem to involve some identity politics. As an African-American, Curry can count the bride, a biracial Yank , as one of his peeps.

It was two months ago that the future Princess Meghan was baptized and confirmed into the Church of England (CoE) by the Archbishop of Canterbury (ABC), Justin Welby. Welby will be officiating at the wedding, just as one of his predecessors, Robert Runcie, officiated at the wedding of Harry parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

What’s of interest to this column, which in all candor could care less about royals, is the ABC’s hearty endorsement of the designated preacher—naturally enough in this day and age, via tweet:

More here-

https://religionnews.com/2018/05/17/the-anglican-politics-of-prince-harrys-wedding/

Bishop begins bid to change law on marriage registration in England and Wales

From ACNS-

A change in the law to allow the names of couples’ mothers to be included in the official registers of marriages in England and Wales is a step closer after a Church of England bishop successfully steered a Bill through its second reading in the House of Lords – the upper house of the British Parliament. At present, marriage registers include only the name of the couple’s fathers. The Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, described this as “a clear and historic injustice” and “an archaic practice and unchanged since Victorian times, when children were seen as a father’s property and little consideration was given to a mother’s role in raising them.”

Bishop Alan is one of 26 Church of England bishops in the House of Lords: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester are the five senior member of the Bishops’ Benches. The other 21 places are taken by diocesan bishops in order of seniority, with a temporary transitional measure which sees qualifying female bishops placed higher in the succession list. This afternoon, Bishop Alan became the first bishop to steer a Bill – draft legislation – through its second reading stage in more than 30 years. It now progresses to the detailed clause-by-clause committee stage.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/01/bishop-begins-bid-to-change-law-on-marriage-registration-in-england-and-wales.aspx

The Secret to Marriage Is Never Getting Married

From The New York Times-

I am often asked if I am married. Sometimes I lie and say that I am. Sometimes I lie and say that I am not. Neither answer feels entirely truthful to me.

If I say I am not married, the true answer, people occasionally try to set me up with their offspring. They seem to think I would be a great daughter-in-law. Actually, I would be a great daughter-in-law. I send thank-you cards. I am a terrific conversationalist. I can bake a pie.

I met the man I am not married to the second week of college.

“You’re wearing black,” Hans said. “I’m wearing black.”

This was said with some irony; we were standing in a black box theater. Everyone was wearing black. He had a girlfriend, so we didn’t get together until several months later. We have been together ever since, 21 years.

More here-

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/style/modern-love-the-secret-to-marriage.html?mc=aud_dev&mcid=fb-nytimes&mccr=smtyl-15%3A36%3A21&subid=October+-+Smartly+-+Mid+Funnel

Can you afford to get married? In the US, it's increasingly the privilege of the rich

From The Guardian-

At 35, Mark Biddiscombe thinks it’s time he finally got married. “I have a woman, I have a kid, I want to do it. I wanted to before we had our son,” he said.

But he has a problem that increasing numbers of his generation encounter: he can’t afford it. Biddiscombe, a construction worker, is part of the changing face of marriage in the US.

In 1960, three-quarters of American adults were married. Today, just half are. Some are getting hitched later, but the share of those who never do has been rising steadily in recent decades, and research increasingly suggests money worries are a factor driving this trend. Nearly half of never-married adults with incomes under $30,000 say being financially insecure is a major reason.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/07/marriage-america-privilege-rich?CMP=share_btn_fb