Evangelical leaders in the Church of England are pledging to do all they can to ‘ensure evangelical life and witness’ can continue in the denomination following a contentious vote on same-sex blessings.
The C of E’s General Synod – its ‘parliament’ with three houses: of bishops, clergy and laity – voted on a complex series of motions and amendments with the result that stand-alone services for the blessing of gay and lesbian couples now look likely to go ahead on a ‘trial’ basis.
It is unclear precisely when this will take place, though some think it is likely to happen from mid-December, once a meeting of the church’s bishops has taken place. The so-called ‘prayers of love and faith’ are also expected to be commended at that point.
