Churches of England, Wales not to offer same-sex marriages

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned in law from offering same-sex marriages, the government has announced, according to BBC News.

Other religious organizations will be able to "opt in" to offering ceremonies, Culture Secretary Maria Miller told MPs.

David Cameron has said he wants churches in England and Wales to be part of the plans. But Miller said they had strong opposition and would not be included.

Labor, which is backing the government's plans, applying to England and Wales, urged ministers not to be "too reserved" in promoting the changes.

The Church of England and Roman Catholics, among other denominations, have voiced opposition to same-sex marriage. But some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favor.

Miller said the Church of England and Church in Wales had "explicitly stated" their opposition to offering same-sex ceremonies, so the government would "explicitly state that it will be illegal for the Churches of England and Wales to marry same-sex couples".