No Blessing for Gay UK Couples

LONDON, UK -- British same-sex couples who marry beginning later this year will not be able to have their unions blessed by Church of England clergy, bishops ruled on Monday.

While people entering gay civil partnerships should be dealt with "pastorally and sensitively", clergy "should not provide services of blessing", the Church's House of Bishops said in a statement.

British law does not permit full gay marriages but after December 5 gay couples will be able to have "civil partnerships" recognized under law, allowing them some of the same benefits enjoyed under marriage.

Singer Elton John announced in April that he and long-time partner David Furnish wanted to be among the first couples to take advantage of the new law.

Guidelines drawn up by the Church of England and published warn that in giving a legal status to gay couples, the procedure may act to "erode the unique position" of marriage.

The House of Bishops said that gay clergy who intend to enter a civil partnership will be expected to check with their bishop, and also to offer assurances that they will remain chaste.

"There has been support for the remedying of particular, long-standing injustices for those who have for too long been the victims of discrimination and prejudice," said in Monday's statement from a working party led by Bishop of Norwich Graham James.