Blessings for same-sex couples rejected by Church of England
The Church of England has decided not to offer blessings to same-sex couples, and has reiterated its stance that such public acknowledgements are appropriate only for straight marriages. A report...
View ArticleChurch of England: Bishops unable to reach consensus on gay blessings
The bishops of the Church of England have deferred any decision on allowing blessings for same-sex marriages until next month. 90 bishops and eight women observers met all day yesterday to discuss the...
View ArticleChurch of England to offer gay marriage prayers but gay clergy banned from...
The Church of England has issued new guidance which allows clergy members to offer post-wedding prayers to gay couples, but bans them from performing same-sex weddings. The revelation came as an...
View ArticleHollyoaks character Blessing to come out as transgender
A main character in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks will soon come out as transgender. Character Blessing will come out to Tony as a trans woman in an episode next month. Blessing will also reveal that she...
View ArticleBishop of Gloucester, who backed same-sex blessings, steps down for personal...
The Bishop of Gloucester, who had called for the Church of England to take a more conciliatory approach to same-sex couples, has stepped down with immediate effect. The Bishop Michael Perham, 66, had...
View ArticlePetition calls for sacking of vicar who compared gays to paedophiles
A campaign has been started urging the Church of England to sack a vicar who compared homosexuality to paedophila. The Hull vicar, Reverend Melvin Tinker, last week hit out at a decision by a canon at...
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Church of Ireland divided over plans for gay ‘thanksgiving’ ceremonies
The Church of Ireland is bitterly divided over plans to introduce ‘thanksgiving’ ceremonies for same-sex couples. A motion is set to be debated at the all-Ireland church’s General Synod on Friday that...
View ArticleCatholic cardinal says gay people can be blessed but cannot have ‘a...
A German Catholic cardinal, described as “Germany’s most important Catholic”, has said that while gay people can be blessed they should be barred from having a “marriage-like relationship”. Reinhard...
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Church of England takes step towards introducing blessings for same-sex couples
The Church of England (CoE) is working on drafting new pastoral guidance and other materials needed to allow same-sex couples to receive blessings from priests. The General Synod, the church’s...
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