A Church of England statement today has said it will uphold its position that marriage is only between a man and a woman and would not let same-sex couples wed in its churches.
The development follows the Church of England’s six-year consultation on sexuality and marriage, among other topics. The proposals were developed by bishops, who make up one of three parts of the church’s governing body known as the General Synod. They will be presented to the General Synod at a meeting next month.
The Church of England is the mother church of the international Anglican churches which includes more than 85 million people in more than 165 nations. These include the Anglican in Zimbabwe and its followers.
The statement confirmed a BBC story from the previous night that bishops had declined to endorse a change in teaching to permit priests to marry homosexual couples. “Same-sex couples would still not be permitted to get married in a Church of England church,” the statement added.
According to announced proposals, same-sex couples who get legally married can attend a religious service where there will be “prayers of dedication, appreciation, or for God’s blessing on the pair.” In 2013, Britain legalized gay marriage.
Said Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
“I am under no illusions that what we are proposing today will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others, but it is my hope that what we have agreed will be received in a spirit of generosity, seeking the common good”
Meanwhile, according to the statement, the Church of England bishops will be issuing an apology later this week to gay people for the “rejection, exclusion, and hostility” they have faced in churches.