The Church of England has told MPs that it cannot support the
legalisation of gay marriage because of the "uncertain and unforeseen
consequences for wider society and the common good".
Concerns were set out in a briefing on the Marriage (Same Sex
Couples) Bill sent to MPs prior to the second reading debate in the
House of Commons on 5 February.
The Church said the Government's plans were an "unnecessary politicising" of marriage and had "no mandate".
In the event that the bill does become law, safeguards for churches
and other faith groups would be "essential", the Church said, as it
expressed "continuing anxieties" about whether protections for the
religious freedom of Christians outlined in the current draft of the
bill would be adequate.
The Church reiterated its support for civil partnerships but said
that applying uniformity to different relationships would be "an unwise
way of promoting LGBT equality".
The briefing also raised concerns about the religious freedom of Christians and others with a traditional view of marriage.
"The continuing uncertainty about teachers, the position of others
holding traditional views of marriage working in public service
delivery, and the risk of challenges to churches in the European courts
despite the protections provided, suggest that if the legislation
becomes law it will be the focus for a series of continued legal
disputes for years to come," the Church said.
"Whilst some fears about freedom of expression may have been
exaggerated, we doubt the ability of the government to make the
legislation watertight against challenge in the European courts or
against a ‘chilling effect’ in public discourse.
"We retain serious doubts about whether the proffered legal
protection for churches and faiths from discrimination claims would
prove durable. Too much emphasis, we believe, is being placed on the personal assurances of ministers."