A split in the Anglican Communion would be a failure though not a disaster, said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on BBC Radio 4's Today progr
The network Reform has threatened to boycott ‘shared conversations’, unless its own views on sexual ethics are treated as authoritative by Church of England leaders.
Over 300 Anglicans and members of other churches have signed an open letter to bishops who are secretly gay, encouraging them to 'come out' about their sexuality.
A two-year process of conversations on sexuality has begun in the Church of England, at a gathering of bishops. Similar discussions are taking place in several other churches in Britain.
Partly as a result of developments in biblical scholarship, many Christians now believe that it can be acceptable to enter a same-sex partnership. Savi Hensman examines differing interpretations of Christ's call: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Clergy and laypersons should not get into trouble for marrying their same-sex partners, the Methodist Church in Britain agreed. For the time being, only opposite-sex couples will be allowed to marry in church. But a two-year period of study and discussion will examine whether this should change.
A Church of England bishop has severely disciplined a priest for marrying his same-sex partner, while a gay vicar in another diocese has also got married.
Pastors can, if they wish, marry same-sex couples in areas where this is legal, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has decided. The general assembly also called for a change in how marriage is defined, if a majority of presbyteries agree.