Greater Love

The Archbishop of Canterbury will not use proposed new prayers to bless same-sex couples.

The Church of England earlier said it will offer blessings to gay couples but will not allow priests to marry them.

Justin Welby said he celebrates The Change , but has a " responsibility for The whole communion".

Also on Friday, The Church issued a formal apology for The " shameful" times it had " rejected or excluded" LGBTQI+ people.

In contrast to Archbishop Welby's stance, The Archbishop of York has said he will offer The prayers which he believes puts The Church in a " better place".

Earlier This Week , bishops told The Bbc The Church will not change a teaching to allow priests to marry same-sex couples, but that it to gay couples following a civil marriage or partnership.

Their proposal will be debated at The Church 's equivalent of a Parliament - The General Synod - Next month.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013, but when The Law changed The Church did not alter its teaching.

Mr Welby told a press conference on Friday that he would " continue to pray for all those who come seeking prayer and to pray with love" including those who were gay, straight, or who had worries about their relationships.

" But because of my Pastoral Care and responsibility of being a focus of unity for The whole communion I will - while being extremely joyfully celebratory of these new resources - I will not personally use them in order to compromise that Pastoral Care , " He Said .

However, The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said he would conduct The prayers.

Mr Cottrell, who grew emotional while speaking at The Press conference, said: " I'm really pleased it's changing for my gay friends, " acknowledging that The Change is not enough for Some People .

" I wasn't expecting to get emotional but I Am , because I think it puts The Church of England in a better place, " He Said , calling on those within The Church who rejected The Move to " hold together our unity".

Asked if he will offer blessings, unlike Mr Welby, He Said : " Yes, I will. I mean, I completely support and understand Archbishop Justin's position, but his position is different to mine. "

On Friday, The Church of England also issued a formal apology for The Times it had " rejected or excluded" LGBTQI+ people.

" For The Times we have rejected or excluded you, and those you love, We Are deeply sorry. The occasions on which you have received a hostile and homophobic response in our churches are shameful and for this we repent, " it said in a letter.

" As we have listened, we have been told time and Time Again how we have failed LGBTQI+ people. We have not loved you as God loves you, and that is profoundly wrong. We affirm, publicly and unequivocally, that LGBTQI+ people are welcome and valued: We Are all children of God. "

Dr Steven Croft , The Bishop of Oxford, said The Church has " further to go" on The issue and called for a change in its doctrine to allow gay marriage, becoming The Most senior bishop in The Church of England to do so.

" As I've listened to The stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ people, all of my pastoral instincts pointed to finding a way of interpreting The Bible to allow for Greater Love and support, tolerance and The Blessing of their partnerships" He Said , adding that he looked forward to new pastoral guidance that will " enable our clergy to order their relationships according to their own conscience and allow them The freedom to enter into same-sex civil marriage. "

Source of news: bbc.com