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Methodist Church embarks on process which could open the way for it to become first major denomination in the UK to perform same-sex weddings
By John Bingham, Religious affairs Editor
The Methodist church could become the first major Christian denomination in Britain to conduct same-sex weddings after launching a consultation of its members about changing its official teaching.
Members of more than 5,000 congregations across mainland Britain are being asked to take part in a mass listening exercise which involves questions on changing the definition of marriage.
Churchgoers have until February to air their views before the findings are put before Methodist Conference, the church’s decision making body.
Under the terms of the Same-Sex Marriage Act, which comes into force next year, religious groups can perform gay marriage ceremonies if they actively opt-in as a group.
Although a handful of small Christian groups including the Quakers and Unitarians have made clear that they will conduct the weddings the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches are opposed.
The Church of England has just announced that it is considering allowing priests to perform informal blessings for gay and lesbian couples but same-sex marriage is not on the agenda.
Any change in Methodist Church policy could throw up legal complications for the Church of England as the two churches cooperate very closely at a local level including sharing buildings and have even partially merged some congregations.
There are 230,000 members of the Methodist Church in Great Britain, about a quarter of the size of the Church of England’s regular churchgoers.
The Methodist Church’s standing orders currently define marriage as a “gift of God” and “a lifelong union in body, mind and spirit of one man and one woman”.
But a consultation paper published by the Church’s headquarters points out that this is now “at odds” with the civil law due to come into force in England Wales within months and separate Scottish legislation expected soon.
Susan Howdle, chairman of the Methodist church’s same sex marriage and civil partnership working party said: “We do urge as many Methodists as possible to respond, thoughtfully and prayerfully, to the consultation in order to help us to gauge the mind of the Church.
“We hope the timescale will allow at least some of the responses to be from groups who have met for discussion, but individual responses are equally welcome.”
Source: Methodist Church begins mass consultation on gay marriage
By John Bingham, Religious affairs Editor
The Methodist church could become the first major Christian denomination in Britain to conduct same-sex weddings after launching a consultation of its members about changing its official teaching.
Members of more than 5,000 congregations across mainland Britain are being asked to take part in a mass listening exercise which involves questions on changing the definition of marriage.
Churchgoers have until February to air their views before the findings are put before Methodist Conference, the church’s decision making body.
Under the terms of the Same-Sex Marriage Act, which comes into force next year, religious groups can perform gay marriage ceremonies if they actively opt-in as a group.
Although a handful of small Christian groups including the Quakers and Unitarians have made clear that they will conduct the weddings the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches are opposed.
The Church of England has just announced that it is considering allowing priests to perform informal blessings for gay and lesbian couples but same-sex marriage is not on the agenda.
Any change in Methodist Church policy could throw up legal complications for the Church of England as the two churches cooperate very closely at a local level including sharing buildings and have even partially merged some congregations.
There are 230,000 members of the Methodist Church in Great Britain, about a quarter of the size of the Church of England’s regular churchgoers.
The Methodist Church’s standing orders currently define marriage as a “gift of God” and “a lifelong union in body, mind and spirit of one man and one woman”.
But a consultation paper published by the Church’s headquarters points out that this is now “at odds” with the civil law due to come into force in England Wales within months and separate Scottish legislation expected soon.
Susan Howdle, chairman of the Methodist church’s same sex marriage and civil partnership working party said: “We do urge as many Methodists as possible to respond, thoughtfully and prayerfully, to the consultation in order to help us to gauge the mind of the Church.
“We hope the timescale will allow at least some of the responses to be from groups who have met for discussion, but individual responses are equally welcome.”
Source: Methodist Church begins mass consultation on gay marriage
