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CofE weddings to include baptism | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Unmarried couples with children will now be able to baptise their children and get married in the same occasion. | Unmarried couples with children will now be able to baptise their children and get married in the same occasion. |
The Church of England has issued new guidelines allowing the two ceremonies to be combined in one service. | |
The Church says it is responding to a real demand, and denies that the change will undermine its teaching on the sinfulness of sex outside of marriage. | The Church says it is responding to a real demand, and denies that the change will undermine its teaching on the sinfulness of sex outside of marriage. |
Couples tying the knot will be able to take part in their children's baptism or say a simple prayer of blessing. | Couples tying the knot will be able to take part in their children's baptism or say a simple prayer of blessing. |
Baptism is regarded as one of the holiest sacraments that Christianity offers, as it signifies the church community welcoming the child into the family of God. | Baptism is regarded as one of the holiest sacraments that Christianity offers, as it signifies the church community welcoming the child into the family of God. |
It usually takes place within a traditional Sunday service, but the new rules mean that it could become a popular add-on for wedding services. | It usually takes place within a traditional Sunday service, but the new rules mean that it could become a popular add-on for wedding services. |
Research | Research |
The changes have come about from research that the Church undertook into couples who were getting married at the altar. | The changes have come about from research that the Church undertook into couples who were getting married at the altar. |
They found that one-fifth of couples taking part in the marriage ceremony already had children. | They found that one-fifth of couples taking part in the marriage ceremony already had children. |
They hope that by combining the two sacraments, the Church will be meeting the needs of real families who might have been discouraged from having a church wedding. | They hope that by combining the two sacraments, the Church will be meeting the needs of real families who might have been discouraged from having a church wedding. |
More on Christian marriage | More on Christian marriage |
A spokesman also denied that the changes meant the Church was contradicting itself on its own teaching that sex should only take place within marriage. | A spokesman also denied that the changes meant the Church was contradicting itself on its own teaching that sex should only take place within marriage. |
He said that traditional teaching still pointed to celibacy outside of marriage, and that children were best served by being raised by married parents. | |
"The Church wants to be able to say 'yes' to people who need our help, and this is a way for us to meet demand for these types of services," he said. | "The Church wants to be able to say 'yes' to people who need our help, and this is a way for us to meet demand for these types of services," he said. |
The Bishop of Fulham, the Right Reverend John Broadhurst, has called the new rules "patronising", and says they reflect a lack of pastoral experience. | |
Other members of the clergy have welcomed them, however. | |
The Reverend Tim Sledge, vicar of Romsey in the diocese of Winchester, has been asked to "merge" wedding and baptism services several times. | |
He said: "It has been lovely to give couples this flexibility to enjoy an extra special celebration for the whole family. | He said: "It has been lovely to give couples this flexibility to enjoy an extra special celebration for the whole family. |
"Now the guidelines are available online, the Church can 'say yes' and offer an even warmer wedding welcome to couples with children." | "Now the guidelines are available online, the Church can 'say yes' and offer an even warmer wedding welcome to couples with children." |