The General Synod, the Church’s legislative body, voted to pass proposals that pave the way towards a report on the question of same-sex civil marriage ceremonies between members of the clergy or one member of the clergy and a lay person.
Church leaders will now reconvene in February to discuss the prospect, as well as steps to permit blessings for same-sex couples in so-called “standalone” services, which closely resemble marriage ceremonies.
These would build on proposals agreed in November, when the Synod voted in favour of permitting blessings for same-sex couples during regular church services on a trial basis.
The proposals passed comfortably by 22 votes to 12 in the House of Bishops and by 99 votes to 88 among the clergy respectively.
Among the laity, the vote was much closer, passing by just four votes, with 95 in favour and 91 against.
The proposals were met with widespread dismay among conservative-leaning groups within the Church.
Rev Canon John Dunnett, the national director of the Church of England Evangelical Council, said: “I was born in the Church of England. But if the prayers of love and faith bus continues in the same direction, I sometimes wonder whether I will die as a member of the Church of England or not.”
The Rev Will Pearson-Gee, a Buckinghamshire rector, said: “I think it could be a watershed moment.
“They’ve woken up a sleeping giant. Up until now we’ve just been disinterested, but people have been radicalised.”
The Rev Ian Paul, a member of the General Synod and the Archbishops’ Council, said: “It has now become clear and open that there are bishops who do not believe the doctrine of the Church and are determined that it should change.
“They will drive this through no matter what the consequences. They seem to be out of touch with what many in the Church believe, and that this change is not something on which many of us can simply ‘agree to disagree’.”
It comes after more than 25 church leaders last month wrote to the archbishops of York and Canterbury warning that such a change could amount to “unlawfulness” and threatened to create a “parallel province”, a separate autonomous grouping within the Church.
A conservative-leaning group called The Alliance, which describes itself as an informal partnership of leaders from networks in the Church, claims to be supported by 2,000 clergy members.
Threatens existence
One of the signatories to the letter, Tom Middleton, the director of Forward in Faith, which represents about 1,000 Anglican clergy, described the split as “potentially the biggest since the Church of England was founded in the aftermath of the Reformation”.
“It threatens the Church of England’s very existence,” he said.
Before Monday’s vote, the Most Rev Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, pleaded for unity between pro-same sex blessing and anti-same sex blessing factions.
“The reality of the church as we live it is always messy,” he told Church leaders gathered in York.
“That the Church flourishes as one is indispensable to the Gospel in this land.
“That the Church flourishes as one is essential to the Anglican community, which like all global churches, is deeply divided and seeking the support of each other.”
The archbishop’s comments allegedly came after closed-door discussions with rebels who have threatened to break away from the Church over its stance.
In addition to same-sex blessings, the motion also put forward steps for establishing pastoral care for those unable to accept the ministry of bishops who provide so-called prayers of love and faith for same-sex couples.
Addressing the compromise involved in the vote, the Archbishop of York said: “What’s before us isn’t what everyone wants, it’s not really what anyone wants, but it is an Anglican way forward.”
Speaking after the debate, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: “The only way forward is a watertight and enduring protection of conscience.”
“The protection must have teeth to protect against harassment and bullying,” he added.