THE Church "accepts absolutely" that Parliament has changed the
law on marriage, and must now "move on", the Archbishop of
Canterbury said on Sunday.
In an interview with Radio 4's Sunday programme, the
Archbishop denied that he had ever talked about a "battle" over
same-sex marriage. "Parliament has changed the law, and established
a new pattern for marriage. And that is within their rights and we
accept that absolutely. . . The role of the Church has always been,
and will always be,that whatever the circumstances in which we find
ourselves, we demonstrate in word and action the loveof Christ for
every human being. And we need to renew that commitment in the new
circumstances. We recognise what Parliament has done, we accept it;
that's done and dusted, we need to move on, and demonstrate the
love of Christ."
Last Friday, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas
Holtam, congratulated the same-sex couples getting married the next
day.
"This is a new reality being undertaken by people who wish their
relationships to have a formal status which embodies a commitment
to them being faithful, loving, and lifelong," he said. "These are
virtues which the Church of England wants to see maximised in
society. I therefore congratulate those who are getting married,
assure them of my prayers, and wish them well in all that lies
ahead."
On Friday, the Bishop of Buckingham, Dr Alan Wilson, described
the House of Bishops' stance on same-sex marriage as "morally
outrageous".
At a press conference organised by the Cutting Edge Consortium
and LGBTI Anglican Coalition, Dr Wilson said that gay clergy who
wanted to get married "believe they are fulfilling their ordination
vow to order their household according to the way of Christ by
getting married, not just shacking up with their friend", The
Times reported.
On the matter of gay bishops, he said that coming out would be
"immensely painful, and I don't want to be brutal about that at
all, and I do recognise the difficulties but, yes, I think most gay
people would be happier out - including bishops."
On the eve of the first same-sex marriages the Prime Minister
suggested in Pink News that they showed that "we are a
country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of
respect, tolerance and equal worth. It also sends a powerful
message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their
sexuality. It clearly says 'you are equal' whether straight or
gay."
To mark the occasion, a rainbow flag was flown over the Cabinet
Office.
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