EDINBURGH, Scotland — The Methodist Church of Great Britain has ruled against any formal church blessing of civil partnerships or “gay marriages” but said Methodist clergy members will be able to say private prayers with a couple in a civil partnership.
The decision follows the new Civil Partnership Act, which allows same-sex couples to enter into a formal legal relationship with many of the legal benefits conferred by marriage.
The church’s conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, said it will not authorize any form of service for blessing a civil partnership and Methodist premises cannot be used for any prayers for civil partnerships.
On June 27, the conference said there is no reason why Methodists may not enter into a civil partnership but reaffirmed the traditional teaching on marriage between a man and a woman. (TAB)
Share with others: