Now campaigners hope that special standalone services of blessings -- which will look and feel very similar to church weddings -- are on the cards. However, gay couples will still need to undergo a civil ceremony in order to be legally married.
Traditionalists said the move could lead to those who believe marriage can only be a union of a man and a woman leaving the C of E.
Read moreLabour is expected to railroad its plans for "a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices", with sources saying we could see legislation within the first 100 days.
Wood still experiences tinnitus in his left ear from his COVID infection, but he recovered and St. Andrew's was rebuilt after a season spent meeting in a school cafeteria and lawn. That season prompted the congregation's theme of "Beauty from the Ashes": that God is working to redeem brokenness.
Read moreAhead of the Synod, three significant letters from the orthodox wing -- comprising over 2,000 clergy members -- signal a stark warning: the church may be on the brink of a split.
In 2023, the CofE marked a significant turning point by permitting priests to bless same-sex couples. However, these blessings are restricted to regular, publicly held services, not individual ceremonies like weddings.
Read moreWhat is proposed is clearly indicative of "a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England in an essential matter".
Read moreAccording to the Malta I proposals, differences in matters like Petrine primacy, infallibility, and Mariology, would be overcome by ensuring that "neither Communion is tied to a positive acceptance of all the beliefs and devotional practices of the other."
There will be a lot of doubling down from people who do not actually want a united Church.
Read moreThis effectively amounts to a split in the Church of England.
The letter, seen by The Telegraph, reads: “What is proposed is clearly indicative of a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England in an essential matter.”
Church of England priests have been able to offer blessings to gay and lesbian couples as part of church services following a vote in the General Synod in February 2023.
Archbishop Ndukuba in his warm congratulatory message to the new ACNA archbishop-designate noted that the Church of Nigeria joined in praying along with ACNA College of Bishops for a successful election that will bring on board yet another leader for ACNA who will continue the good works of his predecessors in office.
Read moreThe 2023 attendance numbers are a full rebound, exceeding pre-COVID levels, and are broad: only four ACNA dioceses reported any attendance decline in 2023. One was the now-dissolved Via Apostolica Missionary District, which saw most of its congregations transfer to the Anglican Network in Canada, the ACNA's Canadian diocese.
Read moreThere was an incredible sense of unity amongst people from radically different cultures and backgrounds, all united in the gospel. I was humbled to hear of the courage and faith of these brothers and sisters in the face of war, natural disasters, persecution, and suffering. I was encouraged by their faith and desire to uphold biblical faithfulness in their own contexts.
GSFA action towards the 'reset' of the communion
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