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Gay news: Senior figures in the Church of England are united with three other faiths on the issue
By: John Howard
Some clergy may ignore the official ban
Some clergy may ignore the official ban
Anglican bishops support civil partnership ceremonies in churches
Senior Church of England clergy have announced that they are in favour of an end to the ban on civil partnerships being carried out in churches and other religious premises.
The Times reports that bishops in the Lords will support out gay peer Lord Alli's amendment to the equality bill, expected to be tabled in the next few days,
The Times reports that bishops in the Lords will support out gay peer Lord Alli's amendment to the equality bill, expected to be tabled in the next few days,
The amendment would remove the legislative prohibition on blessings of same-sex couples and allow the registration of civil partnerships in churches, synagogues, mosques and all other religious premises.
Reportedly, the Church of England, which is divided over same-sex blessings, will maintain its official ban.
Reportedly, the Church of England, which is divided over same-sex blessings, will maintain its official ban.
However, if the amendment is passed there are indications it may be ignored by some clergy.
In a letter to The Times, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Southwark and four retired bishops called for bishops in the Lords to support Lord Alli's amendment.
In a letter to The Times, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Southwark and four retired bishops called for bishops in the Lords to support Lord Alli's amendment.
They cited that three faiths - Liberal Judaism, the Quakers and the Unitarians - have joined forces to call for the freedom of religious organisations to register civil partnerships.
The letter said: "It is inconsistent to affirm the spiritual independence of the Church of England and simultaneously to deny the spiritual independence of the three small communities who seek this change for themselves (and not for anybody else).
"Straight couples have the choice between civil marriage and religious marriage. Gay couples are denied a similar choice.
The letter said: "It is inconsistent to affirm the spiritual independence of the Church of England and simultaneously to deny the spiritual independence of the three small communities who seek this change for themselves (and not for anybody else).
"Straight couples have the choice between civil marriage and religious marriage. Gay couples are denied a similar choice.
“To deny people of faith the opportunity of registering the most important promise of their lives in their willing church or synagogue, according to its liturgy, is plainly discriminatory.
"We urge every peer who believes in spiritual independence, or in non-discrimination, to support it."
"We urge every peer who believes in spiritual independence, or in non-discrimination, to support it."
