Church of England Synod votes in favour of motion to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages

• The Church of England has voted in favour of a motion to offer blessings to same-sex couples
• The decision came after an emotional debate that lasted nearly 8 hours  

The Church of England has voted in favour of a motion to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages today.

The decision came after a marathon emotional near-eight hour debate across two days ended in a vote for the motion – which did not seek to change the position on gay marriage, meaning same-sex couples are still unable to marry in church.

Immediately before the vote in the Synod, a minute of silence was observed followed by a prayer said by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Approval of the motion allows same-sex couples to go to Anglican churches after a legal marriage ceremony for services including prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and God’s blessing.

The motion had been brought by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, and was the result of six years of work on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage known as Living In Love And Faith.

The Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally called the decision a ‘moment of hope’

The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke passionately during the debate

The Archbishop is in favour of offering blessings to same-sex couples 

Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, described the vote in favour of the motion as a “moment of hope for the Church”.

Dame Sarah, who led the debate and chairs the group which oversaw the development of the proposals, said: “I know that what we have proposed as a way forward does not go nearly far enough for many but too far for others.

“It is my prayer that what has been agreed today will represent a step forward for all of us within the Church, including LGBTQI+ people, as we remain committed to walking together.

“We have always said we will listen carefully to Synod, so over the next few months so we will reflect on everything which has been said and prepare new pastoral guidance for the Church on matters of sexuality and marriage. We will also refine the texts of prayers of love and faith.”

In a joint statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said it had been a “long road to get us to this point”.

They said: “For the first time, the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church.

“The Church continues to have deep differences on these questions which go to the heart of our human identity.

“As Archbishops, we are committed to respecting the conscience of those for whom this goes too far and to ensure that they have all the reassurances they need in order to maintain the unity of the church as this conversation continues.

“We hope that today’s thoughtful, prayerful debate marks a new beginning for the Church as we seek a way forward, listening to each other and most of all to God.

“Above all we continue to pray, as Jesus himself prayed, for the unity of his church and that we would love one another.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had fought back tears last night as he rebuked ‘outsiders’ trying to force the Church of England to change its teaching.

At a debate last night, members had rejected 16 attempts to change the proposal to offer blessings for same-sex couples. 

The Synod eventually voted in favour of a motion to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages today. 

An emotional Most Rev Justin Welby – who backed blessings for gay couples- criticised politicians who wanted to force through the church’s acceptance of gay marriage. 

Drawing on his own experiences being held hostage for his beliefs in Nigeria where he would be ‘killed in the morning’, Welby passionately defended the members of the Anglican Communion standing by their beliefs. 

Welby had already said last month that he welcomes the proposals but will not personally carry them out due to his ‘pastoral responsibility for the whole communion’.

Justin Welby referenced being held hostage in Nigeria during his speech

Welby has said he would not personally carry out changes due to his ‘pastoral responsibility for the whole communion’

During the debate, he added: ‘I am supporting these resources, not I think because I’m controlled by culture, but because of scripture, tradition and reason evidenced in the vast work done over the last six years so ably by so many. I may be wrong. Of course I may.

‘But I cannot duck the issue any more than anyone else here.

‘I ask each member of Synod to vote with their spirit-inspired consciences, scripturally or spiritually guided, and not because groups or lobbies or outsiders have told you to. 

‘I have heard them over the last two weeks in Parliament and being told exactly what to do, I’m not doing any of it.

‘This isn’t something I take lightly. 

‘There is nothing in my life or heart or prayers that comes as high as the safety and flourishing of the people I love in the Anglican communion.’ 

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