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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| CofE weddings to include baptism | CofE weddings to include baptism |
| (29 minutes 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 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY This is yet another instance of the C of E following rather than leading David Lee, Leeds Send us your comments | |
| He said that traditional teaching still pointed to celibacy outside of marriage, and that children were best served by being raised by married parents. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." |