The Methodist church has become the largest religious denomination in the UK to allow same-sex marriages, putting it at odds with the Church of England. xAfter debates on the topic at the Methodist Conference, the proposals to allow same-sex marriages were passed with 254 votes in favor and 46 againstHowever, the freedom of conscience clause will allow ministers to opt out of conducting such weddings. The Rev Sonia Hicks, elected as the Methodists’ first black female president at the weekend, said it was a “historic day for our church”. Dignity & Worth, a campaign group in the Methodist Church, said the vote was a “momentous step on the road to justice and inclusion” after many years of sometimes painful conversations. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in the Church of England and the Roman Catholic church but permitted by Quakers in Britain, the Scottish Episcopal Church, and United Reformed Church.

Source: The Guardian July 01, 2021 09:32 UTC