Priests ask for choice over gay ceremonies
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/02/02/anglican-priests-ask-for-choice-over-gay-ceremonies/
In a letter published today, over a hundred clergy from the Diocese of London have asked the Church of England to let individual priests be free to conduct civil partnership ceremonies for gay couples if they so wish.
The letter comes ahead of the General Synod meeting next week, at which the clergymen have requested acknowledgement of the growing number of clergy in London who feel that whether to conduct the ceremonies is a matter for the conscience for priests.
The London priests have asked the Synod to reject a blanket ban in favour of a more permissive stance.
As published in the Times today, the letter reads: We, the undersigned, believe that on the issue of holding civil partnership ceremonies in Church of England churches incumbents / priests in charge should be accorded the same rights as they enjoy at present in the matter of officiating at the marriage of divorced couples in church.