The Church of England and same-sex relationships

The Church of England has announced outline plans for same-sex couples to “be able to come to church to give thanks for their civil marriage or civil partnership and receive God’s blessing”, and the Bishops will be issuing an apology later this week to LGBTQI+ people for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” that they have faced in churches and the impact that this has had on their lives. Full details, including the bishops’ paper, prayers and background information, will be published on Friday 20 January *.

The detailed proposals, which follow the six-year period of listening, learning and discernment known as Living in Love and Faith, will be outlined in a report to the General Synod. Continue reading