Archbishop of York confirms he will bless same sex marriages in church as Justin Welby says he will not
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, spoke as the Church of England issued a formal apology for its historic rejection and exclusion of LGBTQI+ people.
Plans to allow such blessings for the first time were outlined earlier this week, but the position on gay marriage will not change and same-sex couples will still be unable to marry at church.
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Hide AdArchbishop Welby said while he is “extremely joyfully celebratory” of the proposals, he will not offer them in his role as the highest-ranking religious leader of a church which has varying views on the subject.
He told a press conference on Friday at Lambeth Palace Library: “Because of my pastoral care and responsibility of being a focus of unity for the whole communion I will, while being extremely joyfully celebratory of these new resources, I will not personally use them in order not to compromise that pastoral care.”
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who became emotional as he spoke about a change he believes “puts the Church of England in a better place”, confirmed he will offer blessings, but added: “I completely support and understand Archbishop Justin’s position.”
It came as the new Dean of York Minster, Dominic Barrington, said he acknowledged some will “feel that the Church has gone too far – others that the Church has not gone far enough,” but asked church communities to “welcome same-sex couples unreservedly and joyfully.”
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Hide AdThe pastoral letter penned by Bishops of the Church and published on Friday, stated: “We want to apologise for the ways in which the Church of England has treated LGBTQI+ people… For the times we have rejected or excluded you, and those you love, we are deeply sorry.”