Welby will not bless gay marriages in church

Archbishop at odds with colleague at York as he says he will not ‘compromise Anglican Communion’ ‘I’m really pleased it’s changing … I know it’s not enough for some and I’m really sorry it’s not enough’

THE Archbishop of Canterbury has revealed that he will not personally bless same-sex marriages, while the Archbishop of York has said that he will.

In a division at the top of the Church of England, the Most Rev Justin Welby said that while he was “extremely joyful” at proposals that would allow clergy to offer blessings in churches following a civil marriage or partnership, he said that he would not personally be conducting such services in order to remain a figure of “unity”.

In contrast, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Church of England’s second most senior cleric, said he would offer the blessings for same-sex couples because the Archbishop of Canterbury’s “position is different to mine”.

Their comments come after plans by Church of England bishops were leaked earlier this week detailing their refusal to endorse same-sex marriage , but how they instead agreed to “apologise” to LGBTQI+ people for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have suffered, as well as to offer blessings to same-sex couples after civil weddings.

Explaining his decision not to offer blessings to same-sex couples, Archbishop Welby said yesterday that he was “really pleased” that God’s blessings could be offered to gay couples.

However, he said that he would feel unable, in his role as head of the Anglican Communion, which represents 85million Anglicans worldwide, to offer the blessings himself.

“I have a pastoral responsibility for the whole Anglican Communion,” he said. “While I will be extremely joyfully celebrating these new resources, I will not personally use them in order not to compromise that pastoral care.”

Meanwhile, asked whether he would personally use these new blessings, Archbishop Cottrell, replied: “Yes, I will. I completely support and understand Archbishop Justin’s position, but his position is different to mine.”

Archbishop Cottrell also became emotional when speaking about the new changes proposed by the bishops.

Speaking through tears, he said: “I’m really pleased it’s changing, for my gay friends, I’m really pleased.

“And I know it’s not enough for some and I’m really sorry it’s not enough.

He also strongly suggested that gay sex was not sinful, in a view that would break with the Church’s centuries-old teachings.

He said: “I believe the great gift of sexual and physical intimacy to be cherished belongs in stable, loving committed relationships; therefore, I will celebrate the fact that people are living that way and expressing their intimacy that way.” The Church of England also confirmed officially for the first time that it has “gay, bisexual and same-sex attracted” bishops among its leaders.

Jayne Ozanne, an LGBT+ campaigner and member of General Synod, said: “I wonder whether the archbishops have actually forgotten they’ve apologised to us before, many times, or whether they really think that this will cut it for us given that discrimination continues?

“I mean Archbishop Justin admits he won’t even sully his hands to bless us.”

The bishops’ proposals will be debated next month at General Synod, the Church’s legislative body.