The leader of the House of Commons has urged Church of England bishops to back same-sex marriage in critical talks this week, saying the church’s current stance causes “pain and trauma” to LGBTQ+ people.
Penny Mordaunt, the Conservative MP for Portsmouth who chairs the privy council, has written to her local bishop saying: “I hope you will back reform, allowing parishes and clergy to conduct weddings for same-sex couples or, at a minimum, enable authorised blessings.”
The bishops have an all-day meeting on Tuesday at which they will decide on a recommended outcome to be put before the C of E’s parliament, the General Synod, which meets next month.
Mordaunt’s letter adds pressure on the C of E to change its stance, based on biblical teaching, to reflect the law of the land and the weight of public opinions. LGBTQ+ members of the C of E says its refusal so far to treat them equally is institutional homophobia.
Mordaunt says in her letter: “It is some time now since parliament legislated for civil partnerships and then same-sex marriage. Since then both the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the Church of Scotland have agreed to offer same-sex marriage, and the Church in Wales plans to do so soon.
“I fear that if [the issue] is not resolved at next month’s General Synod, the matter will continue to fester and detract from the positive contribution the Church of England makes to our society.
“It is also important to recognise the pain and trauma that this continues to cause many LGBT+ people who are left feeling that they are treated as second-class citizens within our society.”
Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter and former Labour cabinet minister, said Mordaunt’s letter reflected strong views among MPs from all parties who wanted to see change in the C of E.
“It is unsustainable for the state church to be out of sync not only with the society it aspires to serve, but also its sister churches in Scotland and Wales,” he said.
Alicia Kearns, the Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, and Peter Gibson, the Tory MP for Darlington, are among those who have urged the C of E to change its stance.
The bishops’ meeting on Tuesday follows two sessions in the autumn to decide on a recommendation on the issue that has caused bitter divisions within the church for decades.
They are thought to be considering a number of options, ranging from the status quo – that the bible proclaims marriage to be a union of a man and a woman – to full marriage equality for same-sex couples. Both are unlikely outcomes.
In between, are options for a “conscience clause” for clergy, allowing those opposed to same-sex marriage to opt out, and permitting clergy to bless the civil marriages of same-sex couples. They may also recommend lifting the ban on clergy marrying same-sex partners, and the insistence on celibacy for clergy in same-sex civil relationships.
A person familiar with the bishops’ discussions said: “The weight of opinion is for change, but final discussions will be over the level of change.”
There have been calls for parliamentary intervention if the C of E – the national church – fails to move towards the law and public opinion.
Bradshaw said: “If the church can’t do this itself, its exemption from the law as allowed under the Equality Act needs to be removed by parliament.”
Tony Baldry, a former Conservative MP, government minister and Second Church Estates Commissioner, said last week: “I have little doubt that if the church cannot find a way forward that enables clergy either to marry same-sex couples or to bless their weddings, MPs will soon feel the need to intervene.”
Polling carried out last year for the Ozanne Foundation, which campaigns for equality, found that 55% of people in England who identify as Anglican believe same-sex marriage is “right”. Younger people are more likely to share this view. Just 29% think it is “wrong”.
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