Church gay sex
Factsheet: Sexuality timeline in the Church of England
The Church of England is locked in increasingly harsh internal debate over LGBTQ+ issues and same-sex marriage. This is the climax of decades of wrangling and discussion, which began more than half a century ago, with no clear resolution yet in sight
Introduction
In 2021, the Church of England published a report on sexuality, marriage and LGBTQ+ issues. Living in Love and Faith is the fruit of three years’ work by committees of bishops, clergy, scientists, historians, theologians and others, including representatives from the LGBTQ+ people.
It did not propose any modify in the church’s official doctrines, but instead offered resources summarising the latest thinking on how the Bible, church tradition, and population understands flashpoints such as gay marriage or transgender rights. Living in Treasure and Faith marks the latest in a decades-long strife within the CofE to decide how to respond to the rapidly transforming social climate around sexuality.
1950s and 1960s
During the prolonged common debates about homosexuality, the church and its senior bishops, including Michael Ramsay, then Archbishop of Canterbury,
Church of England backs services for gay couples
BBC News
Gay couples will be able to have unique services of blessing in Church of England parishes for the first time.
The services, while not formal weddings, will be able to include the wearing of rings, prayers, confetti and a blessing from the priest.
The amendment to back the services on a trial basis passed the Church's parliament by one vote.
The Church of England's official teaching is that marriage is only between one male and one woman.
Earlier this year, bishops refused to back a change in teaching which would have allowed priests to wed same-sex couples, but said they would allow prayers of blessings for people in gay relationships as part of wider services.
It had been thought approval for standalone services might not show up for well over a year from now.
But Wednesday's vote, which passed narrowly in the General Synod, the Church's legislative body, means distinct services of blessing could now be allowed, rather than simply prayers within a normal church service.
While there is no set timeframe for temporary
Factsheet: Sexuality and the Church of England
by Dr Susannah Cornwall
The Church of England is in the midst of a complex and fraught internal debate over same-sex marriage and LGBT issues. Currently it bans same-sex attracted weddings in churches, allows prayers of support to similar sex couples obeying a civil partnership or marriage and allows clergy to enter a civil partnership
What is the Church of England’s position on homosexual marriage?
The Church of England is the state church in England. The Church of England’s church law (Canon Law) is part of English law. Lgbtq+ marriage was made legal in England and Wales by the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Execute 2013.
The Church of England and Church in Wales sought exemption from the law, and as a result it is not legally possible for them to celebrate queer marriages. It would not be feasible for them to legally celebrate homosexual marriages until such time as their Canon Law was changed.
The Church in Wales voted in September 2021 to offer prayers of blessing to couples in same-sex marriages. However, the Church in Wales can still not itself conduct same-sex marriages.
Other religious groups can opt in to celebrati
Pope says Roman Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples
Pope Francis has allowed priests to bless homosexual couples, a significant advance for LGBT people in the Roman Catholic Church.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church said priests should be permitted to bless same-sex and "irregular" couples, under certain circumstances.
But the Vatican said blessings should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings.
It added that it continues to view marriage as between a man and a woman.
Pope Francis approved a document issued by the Vatican announcing the modify on Monday. The Vatican said it should be a sign that "God welcomes all", but the document says priests must decide on a case-by-case basis.
Introducing the text, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Church, said that the fresh declaration remained "firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage".
But he added that in keeping with the Pope's "pastoral vision" of "broadening" the appeal of the Catholic Church, the fresh guidelines would allow priests to bless relationshi