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Church of England urged to offer same-sex blessings Church of England urged to offer same-sex blessings
(35 minutes later)
Members of the clergy should be allowed to offer blessings to same-sex couples, a report commissioned by the Church of England has recommended.Members of the clergy should be allowed to offer blessings to same-sex couples, a report commissioned by the Church of England has recommended.
The report, produced by four bishops and chaired by former civil servant Sir Joseph Pilling, does not propose offering a "formal liturgy".The report, produced by four bishops and chaired by former civil servant Sir Joseph Pilling, does not propose offering a "formal liturgy".
But it says priests should be "free" to give gay couples a "public service".But it says priests should be "free" to give gay couples a "public service".
The Church pointed out the report is for discussion and is "not a new policy statement from the Church of England".The Church pointed out the report is for discussion and is "not a new policy statement from the Church of England".
The report says the Church must find "ways of honouring" gay Christians who "conscious of the Church's teaching, have embraced a chaste and single lifestyle, and also those who in good conscience have entered partnerships with a firm intention of life-long fidelity".The report says the Church must find "ways of honouring" gay Christians who "conscious of the Church's teaching, have embraced a chaste and single lifestyle, and also those who in good conscience have entered partnerships with a firm intention of life-long fidelity".
'Deeply entrenched views''Deeply entrenched views'
It says clergy should, with the agreement of their local church council, "be free to mark the formation of a permanent same-sex relationship in a public service but should be under no obligation to do so".It says clergy should, with the agreement of their local church council, "be free to mark the formation of a permanent same-sex relationship in a public service but should be under no obligation to do so".
"Some of us do not believe that this can be extended to same-sex marriage," it adds."Some of us do not believe that this can be extended to same-sex marriage," it adds.
The report suggests a consultation should be carried out "without undue haste but with a sense of urgency, perhaps over a period of two years".The report suggests a consultation should be carried out "without undue haste but with a sense of urgency, perhaps over a period of two years".
It recognises there are "deeply entrenched views" on sexuality within the Church of England which "would best be addressed by facilitated conversations".It recognises there are "deeply entrenched views" on sexuality within the Church of England which "would best be addressed by facilitated conversations".
Its recommendations include:Its recommendations include:
It was commissioned by the Church of England's House of Bishops, which is made up of 52 bishops and is one of the three houses of the General Synod.It was commissioned by the Church of England's House of Bishops, which is made up of 52 bishops and is one of the three houses of the General Synod.
'Legal lock'
A law permitting same-sex marriage in England and Wales received Royal Assent in July and the first marriages are expected next year.A law permitting same-sex marriage in England and Wales received Royal Assent in July and the first marriages are expected next year.
Religious groups can "opt in" to offer gay marriages, but the Church of England and the Church in Wales are banned from doing so.
Both churches stated their opposition to carrying out same-sex marriages, and Culture Secretary Maria Miller said the ban was used as part of a "legal lock" to prevent them from being "forced" to do so.
Earlier this month legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland was backed in principle by the Scottish Parliament, though the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church remain opposed to it.Earlier this month legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland was backed in principle by the Scottish Parliament, though the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church remain opposed to it.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is not currently considering any legislation to allow same-sex marriage..The Northern Ireland Assembly is not currently considering any legislation to allow same-sex marriage..