The Guardian, Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent, Friday 3 February 2012
 |
| Chartres says the age of austerity is a more pressing issue for clergy than registering churches for civil partnerships. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian |
The bishop
of London has rejected calls for civil partnerships to be registered in the
capital's churches, citing unity and the age of austerity as more pressing
issues for clergy.
The Rt Rev
Richard Chartres, who is the third most senior Anglican cleric in the country,
said it was right for the issue to be discussed openly, but it should not
distract from the important ministry being carried out in communities.
His
intervention came after more than 100 London-based clergy signed a letter
demanding the right to hold civil partnership ceremonies on their premises.
The
government lifted the ban on civil partnerships in places of worship last year,
but the Church of England has repeatedly told its clergy they cannot register
their churches for the ceremonies unless its governing body, the General Synod,
approves the change.
Chartres,
attempting to see off a growing revolt on his doorstep, said: "It is quite
legitimate that this issue is being raised. However, the unity of the church
and our core mission, particularly in these sobering and challenging economic
times, must remain paramount.
"I
hope the discussion will continue in a prayerful and respectful way, whilst not
distracting from the important ministry our churches are carrying out in their
communities."
The clergy
wrote in their letter that holding civil partnership ceremonies was a matter
"for the individual conscience".
One
signatory, the Rev Dr Brian Leathard, told the Times: "Our motivation in
sending this letter is pastoral. For those of us at the frontline, there is no
sense of hiding behind a blanket ban on holding civil partnership ceremonies in
Church of England churches. More and more people are coming to us, and feel
that we are turning them away without actually being able to hear their story."
Clergy say
they will petition the synod to consent to such a move.
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