This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12442375
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Gay church 'marriages' set to get the go-ahead | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Ministers will publish plans to change the law to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned. | Ministers will publish plans to change the law to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned. |
| Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is to propose lifting the ban on civil partnerships taking place in religious settings in England and Wales. | Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is to propose lifting the ban on civil partnerships taking place in religious settings in England and Wales. |
| But religious organisations will not be compelled the Church of England has already said it will not allow its churches to be used. | |
| Same-sex couples are currently not allowed using hymns or Bible readings. | |
| Under the plans, it is not clear if this would change or whether civil partnership ceremonies in religious surroundings could formally be described as marriages. | |
| Consultation | |
| It is thought this might be part of a new consultation process. | |
| The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, gave the news a guarded welcome and said: "I want equality for everybody but I don't want someone telling me what the Church of England or the Catholic Church should do." | |
| The changes will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners but are likely to raise the ire of many churchgoers. | The changes will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners but are likely to raise the ire of many churchgoers. |
| The Sunday Telegraph claims the decision to push ahead with the legislation is a victory for Mrs Featherstone and her fellow Liberal Democrats. | |
| The newspaper says the Church of England has already said it will not allow any of its churches to be used for civil partnership ceremonies. | |
| The legislation would also cover synagogues and mosques although homosexuality is forbidden under Islam. | |
| Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the newspaper. | |
| The move follows an amendment to the Equality Act by Lord Alli, a Labour peer. | |
| That amendment, which would not force religious venues to accept gay couples, has not yet been implemented and would require a standing order. | |
| The BBC understands Mrs Featherstone has been consulting with gay and lesbian groups and churches about this issue and is expected to make an announcement within the next few weeks. | |
| The Home Office spokesman said: "The government is currently considering what the next stage should be for civil partnerships, including how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples to register their relationship in a religious setting if they wish to do so. | The Home Office spokesman said: "The government is currently considering what the next stage should be for civil partnerships, including how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples to register their relationship in a religious setting if they wish to do so. |
| "Ministers have met a range of people and organisations to hear their views on this issue. An announcement will be made in due course." | "Ministers have met a range of people and organisations to hear their views on this issue. An announcement will be made in due course." |
| In February last year several senior Anglican clergymen wrote to The Times calling for the law to be changed. | |
| The group of clerics, which includes the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Southwark and five former bishops, said: "Straight couples have the choice between civil marriage and religious marriage. Gay couples are denied a similar choice." |