MP urges Church to speed up on gay wedding blessings
A YORKSHIRE MP has called on the Church of England to introduce blessings for gay and lesbian marriages “sooner rather than later”.
Dame Diana Johnson, inset, who represents Hull North, said with the CoE “often moving at a glacial pace” on issues like women bishops it would be positive for a decision on the issue to be made.
Representing the Church Commissioners, Andrew Selous MP said the issue was currently under consideration but time was required to come to the right decision.
Currently the Church of England does not carry out or bless same-sex marriages but says couples can be supported with prayer. Wales has recently introduced services of blessing for same-sex couples, with the idea under advanced consideration in Scotland.
Dame Diana said: “It seems to me that by looking at what is perhaps happening in Wales and in Scotland, where there are blessings for lesbian and gay marriages, that shows the Church’s acceptance and understanding about all households and families in this country. It would be a very good measure for the Church to introduce sooner rather than later.
“We know the Church often moves at a glacial pace in terms of things like ordaining women and women bishops so this would be a very welcome change for the church to adopt.”
Mr Selous said: “It may be a welcome matter but the Church does need to discern what it believes the true teachings of the Gospels to be so we can determine where God leads us.
“We are engaged in one of the most extensive exercises in consultation, learning and prayer ever carried out by the Church in recent decades. Both the destination and how we get there are important.”
He said that a change in approach on the issue would be a major decision. “The Church of England’s doctrine defines marriage as between one man and one woman and changing doctrine is a serious matter that involves humbly seeking to discern the mind of God.
“The Church of England is engaging intensively with questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage in ways that have not been done before.
“This process of learning, listening and discernment among clergy and congregations is enabling a deep engagement with difference and diversity as part of the Church’s discernment of a way forward.”