As had been rumored since last year, the British government is preparing to allow same-sex civil unions in the United Kingdom to be performed in churches, according to the Daily Telegraph. Civil unions have been required to be entirely secular since they were legalized in the country in 2005,
"They could, it is understood, also be carried out in the future out by priests or other religious figures. The landmark move will please equality campaigners but is likely to prompt a fierce backlash from mainstream Christian leaders, as well as some Right-leaning Tories."
"The Church of England has already pledged not to allow any of its buildings to be used for civil partnership ceremonies, while last year Pope Benedict said same-sex marriage was among the 'most insidious and dangerous challenges that today confront the common good.'"
"Some faiths, however – including the Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Jews – support the change in the law and will apply for their buildings to host same-sex "marriage" ceremonies."
