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 Anglican bishops back end to ban on civil partnerships in church
The Times reports today that senior bishops in the Lords have told The Times that they will support an amendment to the Equality Bill next month that will lift the ban on civil partnership ceremonies in religious premises. The amendment would remove the legislative prohibition on blessings of homosexual couples and open the door to the registration of civil partnerships in churches, synagogues, mosques and all other religious premises.
In a letter to The Times a group of Church of England clergy say today that religious denominations should be allowed to register civil partnerships on their premises if they wish.
The Lords amendment is expected to be put forward in the next few days by Lord Alli, the Labour peer, who is openly gay. It is likely to be backed by the Conservatives and, significantly, the Bishop of Leicester, the Right Rev Timothy Stevens, who convenes the 26 bishops in the House.
Lord Alli’s amendment would remove the bar in the Civil Partnership Act 2004 on religious premises being used for civil partnerships — and also the prohibition on religious language being used in such ceremonies.
Signatories to today’s letter include the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Southwark, Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans, and four retired bishops.
Click here for letter to The Times, and list of signatories
Click here for Times article
(Source: The Times, 23/02/10)
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