BBC has confirmed that the Anglican Church has become the
largest Christian denomination to bless same-sex relationships.
According to the BBC, the policy was overwhelmingly approved in a
vote at the church’s general convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Church officials stressed the new ceremony, which includes prayers
and an exchange of vows and rings, was not a same-sex marriage- even
though, such technicalities are tough to fathom, given that RINGS and
VOWS will be exchanged between the same-sex couple- and before the
church altar and an audience.
It’s still uncertain how the Nigerian Anglican community would react
to this development, given that same-sex acts in Nigeria, carry a hefty
14-year jail term- and in Sharia states up-north, could carry an
outright death penalty.
What is certain though, is that this opens a lot of doors for gay
christians- and an immense avenue for the Anglican communion to draw
such christians into the fold.
Yesterday (Tuesday) nearly 80% of the Episcopal Church’s House of
Deputies voted to authorise a three-year trial run for a provisional
same-sex service.
A day earlier, the House of Bishops also resoundingly approved the
new ceremony, which is called the “Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong
Covenant”.
“I believe the Episcopal Church will continue to evolve on the issue
of marriage equality and look forward to joining our brothers and
sisters in being a headlight instead of taillight on marriage equality,”
said the Rev Susan Russell, an Episcopal priest
source: www.bbc.co.uk
0 comments:
Post a Comment