Church of England prayers of blessing for same-sex couples may not be in use until 2025

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A senior Church of England Bishop has said it is possible the prayers of blessing for same-sex couples approved by the General Synod in February may not be ready for use until around 2025 as there remain disagreements to be ironed out, Sky News reports.

In a statement, Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally said the CofE is passing through a “time of uncertainty” and that there are divided opinions on the orthodoxy of blessing same-sex couples in church, Sky News reports. Dame Sarah said she hoped the prayers could be used “soon” but that further authorization would be required.

“What we recognize is that as a church, we don’t all agree on these issues. And we’ve known that all along. The House of Bishops doesn’t agree, the church doesn’t agree,” Dame Sarah said.\

“What we’ve got is a two-track approach – for the suite of prayers to be used as part of existing services, so in a sense not the main focus of that service, they will be commended soon,” Dame Sarah explained.

“But for standalone services, they will need further authorization, which will take probably into about 2025.”

The Church of England has formally apologized for what it described as its “shameful” treatment of LGBTQ people, who, the church said, had “received a hostile and homophobic response” at times.

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