The Church of England has approved proposals to allow prayers of blessing for same-sex couples. The decision, which was passed in all three of the synod’s houses, was made on February 11, 2023. This move was celebrated by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, who stated that the Church was in a “better place today” as a result of the vote. However, this decision was criticized by the Church of England Evangelical Council, who said it was “deeply saddened and profoundly grieved” by the move and considered it a “lose-lose position for everyone in the Church of England.”
Priests will have the option to bless gay couples but can opt-out. The first blessings could take place as soon as this summer. The motion was brought by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, and was the result of six years of work on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage known as Living In Love And Faith. The approval of the motion allows same-sex couples to go to Anglican churches after a legal marriage ceremony for services, including prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and God’s blessing.
In more than eight hours of debate, there were 18 votes on attempted amendments, both from conservatives and liberals. An amendment to force a vote on changing the Church’s teaching and allowing gay couples to marry in Church was rejected. The only amendment that passed was from conservatives, reinforcing that the new prayers of blessing “should not be contrary to or indicative of a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England” which does not allow same-sex marriage.
The final motion was passed across the synod’s three houses. The House of Bishops voted 36 in favor, four against, with two abstentions. The House of Clergy voted 111 in favor, 85 against, and 3 abstentions. The House of Laity voted 103 in favor, 92 against, and 5 abstentions. The bishops will now finalize the wording of the new prayers and also issue new guidance on whether gay clergy must remain celibate before the synod meets again in July.
The Church of England’s position on gay marriage will not change, and same-sex couples will still be unable to marry in church. This is not the type of marriage equality that, for example, the Episcopal Church in Scotland long approved. For now, gay couples will still not be able to have a Church of England marriage.
In a joint statement with the Archbishop of Canterbury, they acknowledged “deep differences” remained. The BBC religion editor, Aleem Maqbool, stated that the Church leaders were celebrating the move as “a watershed moment and a move forward towards acceptance of LGBTQ unions, but in a way that holds the institution together.”
In conclusion, the Church of England has approved proposals to allow prayers of blessing for same-sex couples. The decision, which was passed in all three of the synod’s houses, was made on February 11, 2023. Although it has been celebrated by some, it has also been criticized by others, and the Church’s position on gay marriage will not change. The first blessings could take place this summer, and the bishops will finalize the wording of the new prayers and issue new guidance before the synod meets again in July.
