0h 15min, feb 12, 2026 y - Same-Sex Blessings Proposal Dropped

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The Church of England's national assembly has formally abandoned proposals to deliver blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in churches.

General Synod did vote to continue to look into the issue in the future, but bishops had already decided there were theological and legal barriers to having such ceremonies now.

There was emotional testimony from some gay Christians during the Synod debate and warnings that many liberals and LGBT people were abandoning the Church.

Church leaders apologised for the hurt caused to "both sides", with conservatives having also complained about a lack of clarity from bishops about traditional teaching about marriage and sexuality.

"This is not where I want us to be, nor where I hoped we would be three years ago. And I want to acknowledge that wherever you stand on the debate, I know that many of you are feeling angry and disappointed," said the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell at Synod on Thursday.

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