The British branch of the Anglican Church meeting in a general synod voted Thursday, despite divisions, in favor of blessing gay couples, while confirming its opposition to the celebration of religious marriages.
After eight hours of tense debates spread over two days, the nearly 500 members of this elected body in charge of deciding on questions of doctrine voted by a comfortable majority -250 in favor, 181 against and 10 abstentions- in favor of allowing homosexual people receive a blessing In the church.
6 years of consultations
This decision is the result of six years of consultation, which has brought to light the deep divisions running through the Anglican Church and its 85 million believers on this issue.
If the Church of England seems generally more liberal about its attitude towards the LGBT+ community, this is not the case for other Anglican churches, particularly in certain sub-Saharan African countries where homosexuality is still considered a crime.
Even in England, the proposal presented to the synod had drawn strong criticism. “The synod has now reached an outcome. I recognize that some will be deeply grateful and others will be hurt,” Bishop of London Sarah Mullally said after the outcome was announced. “The Archbishops and I hope that this deep and collected debate marks a new beginning for the Church, in our willingness to move forward listening to each other, and above all to God,” she added.
The motion adopted Thursday also acknowledges “the Church’s failure to welcome LGBT+ people and the harm that LGBT+ people have suffered and still suffer in the life of the Church.”
Source: BFM TV
