Church of England Rejects Blessings for Gay Marriages

Bishops in the Church of England issued new guidance warning clergy they should not bless couples in same-sex marriages

The House of Bishops was clarifying the Church's response to new legislation allowing gay marriage in England and Wales, which will see the first ceremonies take place in March 2014

"Services of blessing should not be provided. Clergy should respond pastorally and sensitively in other ways," said the guidance, drawn up at a meeting on Thursday Feb 13,2014

The same-sex marriage law bans the established Churches of England and Wales - which believe marriage can only take place between a man and a woman - from conducting ceremonies.

But a report last year on the Church's policy on sexuality, commissioned by the House of Bishops, said that in some circumstances a priest "should be free to mark the formation of a permanent same-sex relationship in a public service", without any obligation to do so.

In their guidance, the bishops also said that people in a same-sex marriage should not be ordained as bishops, priests and deacons, nor should those in the ministry enter gay marriage.

Gay men and lesbians are welcomed into the church, but the bishops said, "The House is not willing for those who are in a same-sex marriage to be ordained to any of the three orders of
ministry.

"In addition, it considers that it would not be appropriate conduct for someone in holy orders to enter into a same-sex marriage."