CofE clergy vow to offer same-sex blessing services despite bishops’ decision

Religion Media Centre

October 20, 2025

A number of clergy in the Church of England are resisting a decision by the House of Bishops which put the brakes on moves to allow stand-alone services for same-sex blessings and to allow clergy to be in same-sex marriages.

Canon Simon Butler, an influential vicar in “Inclusive Evangelicals”, says the Canons of the Church of England do, in fact, permit stand-alone services. He has officiated at two in his church, Holy Trinity & St Mary’s, Guildford, and has used Prayers of Love and Faith, saying “They have been simple occasions of quiet joy”.

Writing for the organisation’s website, he says that in granting his licence, the bishop gave him “the liberty to exercise my ministry within the bounds of the doctrine and Canons of the Church of England”, and he quotes Canon B5 saying ministers have discretion to use forms of service for occasions “for which no provision is made”.

Separately, the Rev Dr Charlie Bavzyk-Bell and Canon Giles Fraser also said they would perform stand-alone services of blessing. In his article, Canon Butler said the bishops’ decision was “deeply disillusioning” and “an illegitimate piece of overreach .. that clergy are at liberty to ignore”.  He warned: “It would be an illegitimate use of episcopal power, if not a matter of discipline, for a bishop to threaten those who do with any repercussions. It is time to challenge the bishops here, especially as they have so clearly buckled to the threats and deep pockets of The Alliance.” This is a reference to churches opposed to same-sex relationships who formed “The Alliance”, saying they would withdraw funds if the measure went through, requiring another set of bishops in agreement with them and separate ordination training.

The Church Times reports that The Alliance has called for a day of action on 1 December, for clergy and PCCs to contact their bishop saying they will withdraw from CofE structures if stand alone same-sex blessing services or married gay clergy are allowed.

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