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Gay News: The Archbishop of Canterbury has told MPs he will never allow gay weddings to take place in Church of England churches
Williams: will not be "dictated to"
Archbishop vows no gay weddings in church
28 February 2011
The Archbishop, Rowan Williams, made his remarks in a private meeting with MPs discussing the Coalition's proposal to allow gay couples to have a civil ceremony in places of worship.
Asked by Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown, what he would say to a same-sex couple wanting to marry in church, the Archbishop said that marriage could only be between a man and a woman, and that he would not be dictated to by the Government.
Mr Kirby said that the Archbishop’s comments would alienate many gay Christians, and that he was out of touch with public opinion which is increasingly in favour of gay weddings.
“I hoped he might be more measured in his response and reflect on the cases for both sides of the argument more evenly, but he was very one-sided,” Mr Kirby said.
“Public opinion is moving faster than the Church on this issue and it is increasingly in danger of getting left behind.
“Obviously it is a difficult issue for the Church, but it has many gay men and women who want to be treated the same way as everyone else.”
In a statement
“Civil partnerships now provide legal securities for same-sex couples, but this does not, in itself, alter what we believe to be unique about marriage.
“The Church of England is opposed to all forms of homophobia and would want to defend the civil liberties of homosexual people, and to welcome them into our churches.”
