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The Church of England will not conduct same-sex weddings, but have special prayers for gay couples after they marry and Church of England priests in same-sex relationships or civil unions will not be allowed to marry.
These guidelines are contained in a new “pastoral guidances” statement from the Church of England’s “House of Bishops”.
The guidelines come into force just ahead of the Same-Sex Marriage Act which, next month, makes same-sex marriages possible in England.
The ban on same-sex clergy marriage comes despite rules allowing those in civil unions to become priests and even bishops, as long as they remain celibate.
According to The Telegraph, the prohibition opens up the prospect of a rebellion by gay and lesbian clergy who choose to get married.
“It would force local bishops to bring lengthy disciplinary measures to effectively have them defrocked for getting married”, writes John Bingham.
The Religious Affairs Editor says he understands the church is already bracing itself for “martyrs” who are prepared to challenge the rules.
The guidelines also state that non-clergy who marry someone of the same sex will be free to continue to receive Holy Communion within the Church of England. They will however be barred from ordination.
The Telegraph reports a leading liberal campaigner is calling the new arrangements a “dog’s breakfast” that enshrines “dishonest and hypocrisy” within the church.
In a joint letter accompanying the guidelines, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, acknowledged that there are deep divisions in the Church of England – including between bishops – over the issue.
The Archbishop of Canterbury however told the Church of England it may have to accept changes many members do not like for the sake of unity.
Archbishop Welby acknowledged that many Anglicans would view it as guilty of “betrayal” and even “apostasy” if it implements a landmark Church report which includes a recommendation to hold special services honouring same-sex relationships.
But he warned that others would see the Church as increasingly “irrelevant” and promoting attitudes “akin to racism” if it did not respond to the situation.
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