Agence France-Presse
January 20, 2023
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby © Ben Stansall / AFP
The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was "extremely joyful" about plans to allow church blessings for same-sex couples, but warned deep divisions existed within the world's Anglican community over the issue.
"I will be extremely, joyfully celebratory of these new (prayers of blessing)," he told a news conference.
But said he would not personally offer such blessings due to opposition by much of the worldwide Anglican Communion, of which he is ceremonial head.
"I will not personally use them in order not to compromise that pastoral care," Welby told reporters at his official London residence, Lambeth Palace
Highlighting the difficult position the Church finds itself in, Welby's colleague Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said he would conduct such blessings.
Cottrell fought back tears as he recounted the story of a late friend, who was a priest in a gay relationship with another priest. No biblical readings were allowed in the couple's secular marriage service.
The Church will still not allow same-sex church weddings, due to opposition from the Anglican Communion that makes up the bulk of its congregation.
But it has quelled the immediate row with its compromise.
Bishops met on Tuesday to finalise recommendations of a six-year consultation into the issue, which affirmed the Church's teaching that Holy Matrimony exists between one man and one woman for life.
The issue will not be put to a vote at the General Synod, the Church's legislative body, when it meets in London early next month.
'Live together with our disagreements'
However, Welby warned the splits could re-emerge.
"I can't predict the future," he said.
"We're divided and there's no point in pretending otherwise. The Church of England and the Anglican Communion are very divided," he added.
"There are widely different views. The vast majority of the Anglican Communion hold to the traditional view."
The Anglican Communion comprises 43 Churches around the world in 165 countries, with around 85 million members.
Despite the division, Welby said the Church's global leaders were in agreement that "God in His love and grace came as fully human... in order to reach out to every human being, whatever their sexuality or colour or race or gender".
Welby recognised that the church had often responded to the issue of homosexuality in a "negative and harmful" manner, recounting how a friend had killed himself because of its reaction to his coming out.
Cottrell also accepted that "we got it wrong".
"We're not saying we think we've got it right now, but we are saying this is a good place to where we can live together with our disagreements and fully acknowledge and welcome (LGBTQ+ members)."
© 2023 AFP
Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriage
However, same-sex couples would be able to have a church service with prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God's blessing.
LONDON (AP) — The Church of England said Wednesday it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time but same-sex couples still will not be allowed to marry in its churches.
The decision followed five years of debate and consultation on the church’s position on sexuality. It is expected to be outlined in a report to the church’s national assembly, the General Synod, which meets in London next month.
Under the proposals, the Church of England’s stance that the sacrament of matrimony is restricted to unions between one man and one woman will not change.
However, same-sex couples would be able to have a church service with prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God’s blessing after they have a civil wedding or register a civil partnership.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013, but the church did not change its teaching when the law changed.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, acknowledged that the proposals “will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others.”
“This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships and marriage. I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our church,” Welby said.
“I hope it can offer a way for the Church of England, publicly and unequivocally, to say to all Christians and especially LGBTQI+ people, that you are welcome and a valued and precious part of the body of Christ,” he added.
The church said bishops plan to issue a formal apology to LGBTQ people on Friday for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have felt from within the church.
It said it would issue pastoral guidance to its ministers and congregations and urge them to welcome same-sex couples “unreservedly and joyfully.”
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell apologized for “the way LGBTQI+ people and those they love have been treated by the church which, most of all, ought to recognize everyone as precious and created in the image of God.”
“We are deeply sorry and ashamed and want to take this opportunity to begin again in the spirit of repentance which our faith teaches us,” he said. “This is not the end of that journey, but we have reached a milestone, and I hope that these prayers of love and faith can provide a way for us all to celebrate and affirm same-sex relationships.”
Cottrell said the proposals will not be “what everyone wants,” but further changes will require a legislative overhaul and there was currently no majority supporting such change.
Jayne Ozanne, a prominent campaigner for LGBTQ people in the church, said the bishops’ decision was “utterly despicable.”
“I cannot believe that five years of pain and trauma has got us here. We have had countless apologies over the years but no action to stop the harmful discrimination,” she tweeted.
The General Synod is expected to discuss the proposals in detail during its Feb. 6-Feb. 9 meeting.
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