UK Methodist Church won't
bless same-sex marriages

EDINBURGH - The Methodist Church in Britain will not formally bless same-sex Civil Partnerships although ministers will be allowed to offer informal, private prayers to couples.


It voted on the report on "Pilgrimage of Faith", the Church's ongoing discussion about human sexuality, during the June 23-29 British Methodist Conference in Edinburgh. It was the first time that the British Methodist policy-making body has ever held its conference in Scotland. More than 400 delegates were present.


After a long and careful debate carried out in a respectful atmosphere, the Methodist Conference confirmed the statement of good practice issued by the Methodist Council last December.


While Methodist ministers may say private prayers with a couple in a Civil Partnership, the Church will not authorise a liturgy for blessing Civil Partnerships, and Methodist premises cannot be used for any prayers for Civil Partnerships.


"As Christians we are naturally keen to mark all of the key moments of life with prayer," said the Rev Jonathan Kerry, a member of the working party and Methodist Co-ordinating Secretary for Worship and Learning.


"But earlier Conference resolutions make it clear that we cannot as a Church offer formal blessings for same-sex partnerships. This is a difficult subject, but we are glad that the debate has been conducted in a supportive and respectful atmosphere."


The Methodist Conference also passed a resolution confirming that there is no reason why a Methodist cannot enter into a Civil Partnership. But it reaffirmed the Church's traditional teaching that marriage can only take place between a woman and a man, and its requirement that Methodists remain faithful within marriage and celibate without. - Methodist Church House, London.