Anglican Church approves proposals to allow gay clergy to marry

The General Synod of the Church of England, the Anglican Church, has approved proposals that would allow gay members of the clergy to marry. Following the approval of blessings for same-sex couples last year, the church’s legislative body has voted in favor of proposals that would allow civil marriage ceremonies between same-sex couples, whether clergy or lay.

The proposals were approved by a vote of 22 to 12 in the House of Bishops, 99 to 88 among the clergy, and 95 to 91 among the laity. Church leaders will now discuss the proposals, which are based on allowing same-sex couples to worship “independently”, in February.

Within the Church, conservative members and groups have opposed the proposals. The Rev Will Pearson-Gee, Dean of Buckinghamshire, told The Telegraph: “I think it could be a turning point. They have awakened a sleeping giant. Until now we have been just uninterested, but people have been radicalised.”

John Dunnett, national director of the Evangelical Council of the Church of England, described the passing of the motion as deeply disappointing. “The leaders of the Church of England appear intent on moving the Church away from the biblical teachings and doctrines handed down through the centuries and shared by millions of Christians in the Anglican Communion today,” he said.

By Ezatamentchy