Church-state tensions in the United Kingdom became headline news twice in February. Early in February a group of senior members of Parliament, fearful that legislation paving the way for women bishops might fail in General Synod, indicated that they would use parliamentary powers, if necessary, to see it through.
MP Frank Field filed an Early Day Motion calling on the government to remove the Church of England’s exemption from equality laws if the plan for women bishops fails in Synod. Various advocates of women in the episcopate welcomed this gesture, but others expressed concern that it would set an unhelpful precedent and open the way for the Parliament to impose other unwanted requirements.
Lynne Featherstone, the government’s Equalities Minister, announced plans Feb. 14 to allow religious buildings to be used as venues for celebrations of civil partnerships. She also announced plans to review current distinctions between marriage and same-sex unions. It made visible once more the deep divisions that exist in British society over sexuality.
A very good summary of the issue by John Martin.