Church ‘behind the times’ on gay marriage

Lord Herbert, the PM’S special envoy on LGBT rights, hopes same-sex wedding ban is lifted

‘It would be appalling if the state dictated to churches that they had to do something that would contravene their beliefs’

‘There is this steadily moving tide and the Church is falling behind that. I hope one day it will decide to do it’

THE Church of England is “lagging behind” by refusing to marry gay couples, Rishi Sunak’s special envoy on LGBT rights has said.

Lord Herbert expressed hopes that it would follow other Anglican orders that now provide Christian ceremonies for same-sex partners.

But he warned any legislation to force the Cofe to change its mind would be “appalling” and urged MPS to show respect for religious freedom.

His remarks come with a fierce debate expected on the issue when Church leaders gather in London for the General Synod this week.

At the governing council, bishops will consider a proposal to allow clergy to offer blessings to gay couples while keeping the ban on marrying them.

The Most Revd Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is reportedly worried that going any further would risk a global fracture within the Cofe. But a group of MPS who are frustrated by the decision are threatening to call for the repeal of legislation that allows the Church to govern itself.

Lord Herbert, who tied the knot with his partner in a civil partnership in January 2009, warned them against any such move.

He told Times Radio: “I think it would be appalling if the state dictated to churches that they had to do something that contravened their beliefs.

“It was a fundamental aspect of the legislation that churches are allowed to take that decision, by which I mean faith organisations.”

He pointed out other Anglican orders including the Church of Scotland, the United Reformed Church and the Methodists now allow gay weddings.

“There is this steadily moving tide, and the Church of England is lagging behind that.

“I hope that one day the Church of England will decide to do it,” he said. “I think that’s a decision that the church itself has to take. I don’t think that can be a decision that’s dictated by members of parliament.”

Lord Herbert said the proposal to allow blessings of same-sex couples was “a step forward” but acknowledged it “clearly isn’t enough for many”.

He was appointed by Boris Johnson as the prime minister’s special envoy on LGBT rights in May 2021, and still serves in the post under Rishi Sunak.

His intervention comes after a poll conducted by Yougov and published last Friday showed the public think the Church has taken the wrong stance.

The survey found that 54 per cent of those polled believe the Cofe should marry gay couples compared with 27 per cent against.

Voters also disagree with the stance taken by Archbishop Welby who has said he will not personally provide blessings to same-sex partners.

He said he was “extremely joyful” they will be allowed, but to maintain Church unity he will impose a “self-denying ordinance”.

According to the poll, 44 per cent of people opposed his decision and 26 per cent supported it.

It comes with some MPS asking whether the Cofe’s refusal to allow same-sex marriages is compatible with its position as the state church.

About a dozen from both Labour and Tory ranks met last week to discuss options including stripping it of its exemption from the Equalities Act. Chris Bryant, a Labour MP and former Anglican priest, told The Observer: “If the Church won’t act, then parliament should give it a push.”

Yesterday, on the eve of the General Synod opening, Archbishop Welby wrote to a member ordering him to apologise over his biblical beliefs on marriage.

Sam Margrave, a layman from Coventry, said on Twitter he was “disgusted” by the Archbishop’s press conference apologising to LGBT people.

In a letter with Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, Archbishop Welby said the posts had “caused other members of the Church to feel intimidated, bullied and distressed”.

“We are writing as Archbishops to rebuke such behaviour and to ask that you apologise publicly for your language and the offence it has caused.”