Church of England to allow ‘blessings’ of same-sex couples in trial move after close vote

The Church of England will soon bestow “blessings” on same-sex couples on a trial basis, officials said Wednesday after a vote to allow the ceremonies.

But the change may deliver a “final blow to the unity of the Anglican Communion,” the Church of England Evangelical Council, a caucus of theologically conservative Anglicans, said in a statement.

The Church of England is the founding body of the global Anglican Communion, which includes the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Debates over same-sex relationships have fractured the global denomination. Conservative Anglicans have bristled under moves to accept same-sex couples and gay clergy, while some congregations have left to form more conservative associations.

The church’s General Synod approved a motion to advance the implementation of a standalone blessing service based on texts called “Prayers of Love and Faith,” which the church’s news service said were for a same-sex couple “who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God.”

The church’s House of Bishops planned a two-year phase-in of the ceremonies, but a motion from the Right Rev. Dame Sarah Mullally, bishop of London, called for a temporary use of the ceremonies while the formal adoption process proceeds.

Bishop Mullally’s motion passed 227-203, with five abstentions. Bishops, who voted 23-10 in favor of the motion, were more supportive than clergy delegates, who voted 100-93, and lay members, who voted 104-100. Four bishops and one clergyperson abstained.

The church’s top two clerics, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, acknowledged the charged nature of the synod’s decision.

“While this motion was passed, narrowly, we do not underestimate the depth of feeling and will reflect on all that we have heard as we seek to move forward together,” the two said in a statement following the vote.

The Rev. Canon John Dunnett, national director of the Church of England Evangelical Council, said the action shows “the Church of England no longer sees Scripture as our supreme authority” and marks a “watershed moment” for the church.

“If the bishops continue with the implementation of their proposals, we believe this will have a devastating impact on churches across the country and beyond,” he said.