The approval of the relevant proposal took place after an eight-hour meeting that was interrupted on Wednesday night and continued on Thursday morning.
London Thanasis Gavos
For the first time, the Church of England gives its blessing to marriages and civil unions of same-sex couples
The Synod of the Church of England has decided for the first time that from now on its priests will bless same-sex couples who have been married or living together.
The approval of the relevant proposal took place after an eight-hour meeting that was interrupted on Wednesday night and continued on Thursday morning.
The proposal that had been put forward was for the blessing only, meaning it did not provide for the granting of permission for same-sex couples to marry in Anglican churches, which will still be prohibited.
The proposal was made by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Malaly, following a six-year consultation within the Anglican Church on issues of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
Reacting to the upvoting of her motion, Dame Sarah spoke of a “moment of hope” for the Church. He recognized that today’s development “is not even enough for many, but at the same time it is too much for others”.
The head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, in a joint statement with Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, commented that “it has been a long road to get to this point”.
As he added, “for the first time the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples into churches.” But he noted at the same time that “the Church still has deep differences on these issues that go to the heart of our human identity”.
His Holiness appeared extremely charged and almost sulking in his position at the Synod meeting on Wednesday night, as he supported the blessing of same-sex couples after marriage, but criticized the portion of politicians who tried to pressure the Church to go further, accepting same-sex marriages.
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