\u201cIf we go any further [than blessings], it\u2019s three years of legislative fighting, and quite possibly a defeat at the end of it. . . The Bishops together want to do something that avoids that \u2014 and the discussion continues.\u201d<\/p>\n
About 50 people attended the candlelit vigil, which was organised by Jayne Ozanne, an LGBTQ+ campaigner and member of the General Synod. It was timed to coincide with the arrival of about 90 parliamentarians for a Candlemas service in the chapel at Lambeth Palace.<\/p>\n
Protesters sang hymns and prayed together, and held posters and placards calling for same-sex marriage to be permitted within the Church of England. \u201cWe just want to know that we\u2019re the same as everybody else,\u201d Ms Ozanne told Archbishop Welby.<\/p>\n
The Labour MP for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw, joined the protest before going to the service, and was among several who challenged the Archbishop to show leadership on the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been very instrumental carrying it as far as I could, to get things to where we are today. I don\u2019t have the votes to go further,\u201d Archbishop Welby replied.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s do what we can now, and see what happens. To get something through for equal marriage would require legislation. And legislation has to carry by two-thirds in each house of Synod.\u201d https:\/\/t.co\/QxLHXmsoZq<\/a><\/p>\n — Church Times (@ChurchTimes) January 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n