The Church of England will allow gay clergy to enter into civil partnerships if they promise to abstain from sex. The Church also told clergy that they could not bless couples who had been through a civil partnership ceremony, but that they should pray with them. Pray for what — the church to get a bit more tolerant?
Openly gay vicar Paul Collier: “I think what the Church is doing is failing to respond to an opportunity to celebrate and affirm love, fidelity and commitment, which are all important gospel values and in that sense, sadly the church is looking a bit ridiculous.”