The Welsh Anglican church has apologised unreservedly for its mistreatment of gay and lesbian people, saying it recognises they have been persecuted and ostracised, while saying it is not yet ready to allow or bless same-sex marriages.
But the debate over same-sex marriage was not over, said a letter from bishops of the church in Wales to its members, indicating it could change its stance in the future.
Following an 18-month consultation on the issue of same-sex marriage, the bishops this week released a message directly addressed to gay and lesbian members of the church. It said: “We recognise that you have often been persecuted and ostracised by the church for your sexuality, that you have been mistreated by the church, and forced into secrecy and dissimulation by the attitudes of prejudice which you have faced.”
Saying they deplored such hostility, the bishops committed themselves to “offering you the same loving service and pastoral care to which all humanity is entitled, and we commit ourselves to acting to provide a safe space within the church and within our communities in which you can be honest and open, respected and affirmed”.
Introducing the letter, Barry Morgan, the archbishop of Wales, said that a move to allow or bless same sex-marriages would fail at the present time. “That I know will be a disappointment to those who voted for change and will be a deep disappointment to same sex couples within the church in Wales who long for the opportunity to make their vows in one of our churches,” he said. Morgan issued prayers to celebrate a civil partnership or civil marriage.
The issue of same-sex marriage has caused deep divisions within the global Anglican church. A meeting of Anglican leaders in Canterbury in January imposed de facto sanctions on the US Episcopal church, after it permitted same-sex marriages.
Church leaders in many parts of the world, but particularly in Africa, are virulently opposed to any challenge to the traditional biblical teaching that says marriage is a union of one man and one woman.
The Church of England has refused to allow same-sex marriage or permit gay clergy to be married. Its leader, archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, apologised to LGBTI members of the church in January.
