The Church of England’s General Synod has narrowly backed standalone services for blessing same-sex unions alongside a provision for conservative parishes to register for delegated episcopal oversight.
A group of Church of England evangelicals may form a third province if General Synod allows a three-year trial for stand-alone services of same-sex blessing.
The decision throws yet another twist into the Church of England’s contentious move toward blessing same-sex relationships, three weeks before General Synod is scheduled to convene and work on the next stages of Living in Love and Faith.
“The outcome of this vote was met with gasps around the chamber, and a coordinated protest from the public gallery, with shouts that the synod was ‘serving Satan.’”
Eleven conservative bishops have issued a dissenting statement, alleging that the plan fails “to safeguard the pastoral stability, mission, and unity of the church,” while LGBT activists in the church complain that it shows a loss of nerve.
