Explained: CofE approves gay blessings for a three-year trial

General Synod has agreed to trial standalone services of blessing for gay couples, as well as concessions for parishes who do not wish to use them. Meanwhile, discussions continue around marriage for gay vicars. The margins are tiny, says Tim Wyatt, but both sides seem as far apart as ever. Is it only a matter of time before schism occurs? 

The Church of England has taken its next slow step towards gay blessings after another tense debate at General Synod saw a razor-thin majority approve the bishops’ latest plans.

What was just agreed?

The Church of England’s General Synod has voted in favour of the roadmap proposed by the Church’s governing House of Bishops. This will see services of blessings for same-sex couples rolled out some time next year as part of a three-year trial.

The vote also signed off on the outline of a package designed to appease conservatives unhappy about gay blessings. This offers parishes unwilling to use the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) the opportunity to request a like-minded conservative bishop from elsewhere in the Church be appointed to oversee them, rather than their local bishop.