Five More Anglican Bishops Back Same-sex Marriages in Church

THE GUARDIAN: Church of England bishops say clergy should be able to act according to conscience on issue that has divided Christianity

A blessing ceremony for a couple in a Catholic church in Cologne, Germany, in 2021.Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Five more Anglican bishops have publicly backed a call for the Church of England to lift its ban on same-sex marriage, in a sign that momentum may be building for a historic change.

The bishops of Worcester and Dudley have written to all clergy in their area saying “the time has come for the church to celebrate and honour same sex relations”. John Inge, a senior bishop, and Martin Gorick, a junior bishop in the diocese, said they favoured same-sex couples being able to marry in church, although clergy should be permitted to act according to their conscience on the issue.

Inge added in a tweet: “I stand convicted of being silent for too long in what, I persuaded myself, was the imperative of unity. I offer my apologies to all those who have been hurt.” » | Harriet Sherwood | Friday, November 4, 2022

Related article here.

Wunderschöne Blumen für Ihren schwulen, herbstlichen Hochzeitsstrauß

Belles fleurs pour votre bouquet de mariage gay d'automne / Beautiful flowers for your gay autumn wedding bouquet
Für dieses schöne Bild bedanke ich mich bei weddingbee.com auf Pinterest.

The Guardian View on Same-sex Weddings in Church: The Zeitgeist Is Moving

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: The Church of England should follow the example of Anglicans in Wales and Scotland, and give its blessing to gay and lesbian relationships

The church’s rigid stance on same-sex relationships is undermining its outreach efforts, particularly in relation to the young.’ Photograph: Maurice Savage/Alamy
For LGBT+ Christians, 2021 provided two significant causes for celebration. In June, the Methodist church became the largest religious denomination in the UK to allow same-sex marriage. Soon after, the Anglican Church in Wales voted to introduce special blessings for same-sex married couples. Across the border in England, the bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev Paul Bayes, hailed the Welsh move, saying: “I trust that my own church will follow this creative and gospel-inspired lead, and I hope that this will happen soon.”

After more than a decade of bitter deadlock and hurtful division in the Church of England, there is a chance that this will be the year progress is made towards answering Bishop Bayes’ prayers. In April, a church-wide consultation on sexuality will come to an end, with its findings due to be published in the autumn under the title Listening to the Whole Church. The intention, according to the bishop of London, the Right Rev Sarah Mullally, is to find “a way forward for the church in relation to human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage”. A commitment has been made to establishing a clear direction of travel at a General Synod in February 2023. » | Editorial | Wednesday, January 12, 2022

A Wedding

Elegance
Lovely photo courtesy of Basing House Same Sex Wedding Photography – Sam & Sarah on Pinterest. And here.