Bishops speak out in favour of same-sex marriage

Two bishops have spoken out in favour of same-sex marriage following the first weddings in the UK over the weekend.

Bishop of Salisbury, Nick Holtam, said that gay marriage “embodies a commitment to be faithful, loving, and lifelong”.

He added: “These are virtues which the Church of England wants to see maximised in society”.

Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, said that he is opposed to the Church of England’s ban on same-sex marriages.

Despite the fact that he is prohibited from “blessing” gay marriages, he said that he is happy to work with couples to “devise something with them”.

He explained: “There is creative space within which clergy work with couples and that creative space is wide open.

“If I am approached by a gay couple, I think it perfectly possible to devise something with them which is as appropriate as it can be in the present confused situation. You can pray with people pastorally but you can’t use the B word.”

He described the Church of England’s ban on gay marriages as “morally outrageous”, adding that it makes him and others feel “ashamed”.

> Watch a video of one of the UK’s first gay weddings
> Watch a clip from Channel 4’s gay wedding musical