One of the country’s most senior Anglican bishops came a step closer to endorsing gay marriage after he called for the ban on same-sex partnership blessings to be lifted.
The outgoing Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev James Jones, said it was time for the church to consider the blessing of civil partnerships. “We’ve come to a time now that if we believe that civil partnerships are just then we can’t withhold the blessing of God from that which we believe to be just,” he said.
Although the remarks fell short of endorsing gay marriage they will nonetheless embolden campaigners. The Church of England has previously ruled out offering blessings to same-sex couples.
“…if we believe that civil partnerships are just then we can’t withhold the blessing of God from that which we believe to be just,” he said.”
Read the above again, and really emphasize the “we” each time you see it. Amazing isn’t it?
Well there you have it. All “we” have to do is declare what God wants. Makes living a lot easier from here on out!
This reminds me of a phrase one increasingly hears uttered by ‘reappraising’ preachers: “What Jesus was trying to say is…”!
Hmmm, yet more “brave” words from a retiring bishop with nothing to lose. It will be more interesting to see if those who are still active bishops have anything to say about this, positive or negative.
Another person who should know better. I met him a number of years ago and would not have expected this opinion from him.