On Monday, 23rd January 2012, Archbishop Peter, Chairman of the Bishops' Conference Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, met with the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to discuss the Government's plans to introduce legislation to permit same-sex marriage.
The Archbishop, representing the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, expressed opposition to any change in the traditional understanding of marriage as being a contract between a man and a woman. Furthermore, he questioned the need for such change as civil partnerships already offer broadly the same legal rights as marriage.
During the meeting the Home Secretary confirmed that it was not Government policy that Churches who refused to conduct same-sex marriages should have the ability to issue marriage licences withdrawn.
Mr William Fittall, Secretary General of the Church of England’s General Synod, was also present at the meeting which had been suggested by the Church of England.
The Standing Committee of the Bishops' Conference discussed ways on how to campaign against the Government's plans at its meeting this morning (Wednesday, 25th January).
0 comments:
Post a Comment