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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
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| Church debates decline of weddings and baptisms | Church debates decline of weddings and baptisms |
| (3 days later) | |
| The Church of England's ruling body is to begin a three-day session to discuss ways of making baptism and church weddings more attractive, as their popularity declines. | The Church of England's ruling body is to begin a three-day session to discuss ways of making baptism and church weddings more attractive, as their popularity declines. |
| The General Synod will also debate whether clergy who have divorced and re-married could become bishops. | |
| Plans for new, less formal, wording in baptism services will be on the agenda. | Plans for new, less formal, wording in baptism services will be on the agenda. |
| Members will also hear of a campaign to encourage couples to marry in church, and to prevent parishes over-charging. | Members will also hear of a campaign to encourage couples to marry in church, and to prevent parishes over-charging. |
| A proposal will be discussed that would stop some parishes from loading wedding fees with extra costs. | A proposal will be discussed that would stop some parishes from loading wedding fees with extra costs. |
| BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the Church had "watched with alarm" as the rates of marriage and baptism have declined in recent decades. | BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the Church had "watched with alarm" as the rates of marriage and baptism have declined in recent decades. |
| Its share of the weddings that do take place has decreased even more rapidly. | Its share of the weddings that do take place has decreased even more rapidly. |
| Later in the week Synod members will consider whether or not it is appropriate for clergy who have re-married after being divorced from serving as bishops. | Later in the week Synod members will consider whether or not it is appropriate for clergy who have re-married after being divorced from serving as bishops. |
| It is accepted that parish priests may be ordained even though they are divorced, but opposition has emerged in some dioceses to bishops being given the same latitude, added our correspondent. | It is accepted that parish priests may be ordained even though they are divorced, but opposition has emerged in some dioceses to bishops being given the same latitude, added our correspondent. |