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11 Church of England Bishops Reject Denominational Blessings for Same-Sex Couples

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Eleven Church of England bishops have announced that they reject the denomination’s House of Bishops’ plans to introduce blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in legal partnerships, Christian Today (CT) reports. The ceremonies involve denomination-approved Prayers of Love and Faith that clergy who have chosen to conduct such blessings can use.

The 11 bishops made their intentions known in a joint statement issued through Premier Christianity on Monday after the House of Bishops announced on Monday that it was approving the Prayers of Love and Faith for use, as well as a launching process to formally authorize them under Church of England law.

The House of Bishops stipulated that their proposals will need a two-thirds majority in the General Synod, CT reports. A vote is expected to be held in 2025 following consultation with dioceses.

In a letter expressing “deep disagreement” within the House of Bishops over what they described as “a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England,” the dissenting 11 bishops wrote: “Sharing the profound concerns of many in the Church of England and in the wider Communion, with heavy hearts we find it necessary to dissent publicly from the decisions of the House.”

“Faced with these sensitive matters over which there remains deep disagreement, we are committed as bishops to continue seeking to discern a way forward in the interests of the whole Church and to providing pastoral care for all,” the letter reads. “At the same time, we believe that bishops must have due regard to the obligations of good and proper governance. Even at this late stage, we urge our episcopal colleagues and the Archbishops, as joint Presidents of General Synod, to reconsider the course we saw mapped out in our meeting.”