Archbishop voices opposition to gay civil partnership ceremonies in churches

The Archbishop of Canterbury has told MPs of his opposition to plans to allow same-sex civil partnership ceremonies to take place in churches.

Dr Rowan Williams made his feelings known in a meeting with MPs arranged by Tony Baldry, Tory MP for North Oxfordshire.

According to the Daily Mail, the Archbishop said he would not consider weakening the Church’s teaching on marriage, which it regards as a union between one man and one woman, and added that he would not allow its position to be dictated by the Coalition.

His intervention comes after Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone announced last month that the Government was considering lifting the ban on same-sex civil partnerships being conducted in places of worship and religious settings.

Mr Kirby said the Archbishop’s comments could make the Church look out of touch and alienate gay worshippers.

He was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: “I had hoped he might be more measured in his response and reflect on the cases for both sides of the argument more evenly, but he was very one-sided.

“Public opinion is moving faster than the Church on this issue and it is increasingly in danger of getting left behind.”

His position reflects that of the Archbishop of York and second most senior figure in the Church of England, Dr John Sentamu.

He told BBC One’s Andrew Marr show recently that the Government should not be telling the churches what to do.

“I live in a liberal democracy and I want equality for everybody. I cannot say the Quakers shouldn’t do it,” he said.

“Nor do I want somebody to tell me the Church of England must do it or the Roman Catholic Church must do it because actually that is not what equality is about.”

The Government is due to launch a consultation on the proposals in April. The plans have received the support of some liberal Anglicans, including the Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, Giles Fraser, who said the Church should respond “imaginatively” to the idea of same-sex blessings being celebrated in churches.

“Gay relationships are perfectly capable of reflecting the love of God,” he said.

The Government’s proposals have been condemned by several Christian organisations, including the Evangelical Alliance, Christian Concern and Reform.

In a joint statement, they expressed their grave concerns for churches that refuse to conduct ceremonies for same-sex couples on their premises.

Don Horrocks, Head of Public Affairs at the Evangelical Alliance, said: “History shows that when new rights are given today, they can often lead to laws being imposed tomorrow.

“If the Government wishes to advance equality for LGBT people, who represent less than 1.45 per cent of the population, they must show they are at least as committed to the religious liberties of the vast majority of the people who want to be assured that a minority right can never become an obligation.”