Church in Wales’ push for same-sex marriage ‘contrary to God’s revelation’

The Evangelical Fellowship of the Church in Wales (EFCW) has branded the push to introduce same-sex marriage there as “contrary to God’s revelation”.

Following a recent meeting with the Bench of Bishops, EFCW said they had received very “little assurance or guarantee” from them that biblical views on marriage would be allowed to thrive within the Church.

In September, the Church in Wales’ Governing Body voted overwhelmingly to pass a Bill which allows same-sex couples who are already legally married or in a civil partnership to be able to receive a blessing where the local minister agrees with the practice.

Wrong direction

The Bench told the EFCW that it was now “of one mind” to introduce a same-sex marriage Bill into its constitution, and that this could be within the next five years.

contrary to God’s revelation

The EFCW said it had been given “complete assurance” that a conscience clause, enabling those who remain faithful to Scripture to opt out of performing the blessings, would remain in place.

However, its Executive warned that the church is being led in a direction “contrary to God’s revelation”.

The denomination claimed approving the Bill would mean “the loving and faithful commitment of two persons of the same sex” would be “worthy of acceptance by the church by asking God’s blessing upon their commitment”.