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 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gay church 'marriages' set to get the go-ahead | Gay church 'marriages' set to get the go-ahead |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Ministers are expected to publish plans to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned. | Ministers are expected to publish plans 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. |
| There are no plans to compel religious organisations to hold ceremonies and the Church of England has said it would not allow its churches to be used. | There are no plans to compel religious organisations to hold ceremonies and the Church of England has said it would not allow its churches to be used. |
| Same-sex couples are currently not allowed to use hymns or Bible readings. | Same-sex couples are currently not allowed to use hymns or Bible readings. |
| Under the proposals, it is not clear if this would change or whether civil partnership ceremonies in religious surroundings could formally be described as marriages. | Under the proposals, it is not clear if this would change or whether civil partnership ceremonies in religious surroundings could formally be described as marriages. |
| Equality Act | |
| It is thought this might be part of a new consultation process. | It is thought this might be part of a new consultation process. |
| 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 Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, gave the news a guarded welcome. | |
| He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he "believes in a liberal democracy, and actually wants equality with everybody" but did not want churches to be told what to do. | |
| "You mustn't have rights that trump other rights," he added. | |
| The Sunday Telegraph claims the decision to push ahead with the legislation is a victory for Mrs Featherstone and her fellow Liberal Democrats. | 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 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. | The legislation would also cover synagogues and mosques although homosexuality is forbidden under Islam. |
| The Roman Catholic Church has long held that homosexuality is a "deviation" and is not expected to agree to same-sex ceremonies. | The Roman Catholic Church has long held that homosexuality is a "deviation" and is not expected to agree to same-sex ceremonies. |
| But Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the newspaper. | But Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the newspaper. |
| In February last year several senior Anglican clergymen wrote to The Times calling for the law to be changed. | 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." | 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." |
| The move follows an amendment to the Equality Act by Lord Alli, a Labour peer. | 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. | 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 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. |
| According to reports, the government plans would also see straight couples being allowed to become civil partners. | According to reports, the government plans would also see straight couples being allowed to become civil partners. |
| On Friday, the Protection of Freedoms Bill included plans to lift a ban on night-time weddings and also gave gay men the right to clear their name by removing out-of-date convictions for consensual acts. | On Friday, the Protection of Freedoms Bill included plans to lift a ban on night-time weddings and also gave gay men the right to clear their name by removing out-of-date convictions for consensual acts. |
| A 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. | A 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." |
| The Office Of National Statistics reported in May 2010 that 26,000 same-sex couples had undergone civil partnerships. | The Office Of National Statistics reported in May 2010 that 26,000 same-sex couples had undergone civil partnerships. |
| Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry in church? Would you be affected by this proposal? Send us your comments using the form below. | Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry in church? Would you be affected by this proposal? Send us your comments using the form below. |