Church row over gay unions

Published on 26/07/2005 01:20

GAY couples who "marry" under new civil partnership legislation will not receive a Christian blessing from the Church of England, because it may "erode the unique position" of marriage.

Guidelines issued by the House of Bishops yesterday, ahead of the new legislation, also cast doubt on the position of clergy who decided to enter a same-sex marriage.

The Rev David McCarthy, the director of St Silas' Church in Glasgow, which represents the Scottish Anglican Network, said the decision will put pressure on the Scottish Episcopal Church "to decide whether they want to stay in the Anglican Communion, which will mean following this line, or deciding that they need to do something completely different.

"It's a fine line they're trying to walk, and I think they will try to put off making a decision for as long as possible."