As Church-based Civil Unions Kick In, Church of England Says No

LONDON (RNS) New laws that allow same-sex civil unions to be performed on religious premises took effect in England and Wales on Monday (Dec. 5), but the Church of England says it won’t permit them without approval from its top body. Civil partnerships have been legal...

Anglicans Won’t Allow Civil Partnerships in Churches

LONDON (RNS) The British government said Wednesday (Nov. 2) that same-sex couples will be allowed for the first time to use churches to seal their civil partnership vows, starting in December. But the directive added that no religious group will be forced to conduct...

Law Would Allow Marriage to Catholics for U.K. Royals

(RNS) Future British kings and queens would be permitted to marry Catholics for the first time in more than three centuries under reforms proposed by British Prime Minister David Cameron. Writing to his fellow heads of government in the British Commonwealth, in a...

Panel Says Judges Have Been too Hard on U.K. Christians

LONDON (RNS) A government-funded watchdog panel said British judges have erred in supporting employers who try to fire Christian workers for wearing crosses or refusing to offer sex counseling to gay couples. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said Monday...