Explainer – United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion
United States AP Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference. It’s a much-anticipated gathering. Typically it is held every four years, but church leaders delayed the 2020 gathering until now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev K Karen, left, of St Paul & St […]
Church authorities in Greece slap religious ban on local politicians who backed same-sex marriage
Athens, Greece AP Backlash from the Orthodox Church of Greece against a landmark law allowing same-sex civil marriage intensified Tuesday, with a regional bishopric imposing a religious ban on two local lawmakers who backed the reform. Church authorities on the north-western island of Corfu accused the two opposition lawmakers of committing “the deepest spiritual and moral error” […]
Updated: Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex civil marriage
Updated: 10:45am (AEDT) Athens, Greece AP Greece on Thursday became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex civil marriage, despite opposition from the influential, socially conservative Greek Church. A cross-party majority of 176 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament voted late Thursday in favour of the landmark bill drafted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ‘ center-right government. Another […]
Greek Orthodox Church: Marriage bill for LGBTQ couples tests church’s historic influence
The Greek Orthodox Church opposition to legalising marriage for anyone but traditional heterosexual couples is testing the church’s influence over Greek life. DAVID I KLEIN, of Religion News Service, reports…
Greek Church blasts proposed same-sex civil marriages, will present its views to congregations
Athens, Greece AP Greece’s influential Orthodox Church on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to the center-right government’s plans to legalise same-sex civil marriages, and said it would present its views to lawmakers and congregations nationwide. A statement by the church’s governing body, the Holy Synod, said that while legislation is parliament’s job, “that doesn’t relieve the Church of […]
Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the church
Athens, GreeceAP Greece’s centre-right government said Thursday it would fulfill a commitment to legalize same-sex marriage, sidestepping staunch opposition from the country’s influential Orthodox Church. The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house’s current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis. The statement comes after the church’s governing Holy Synod issued […]
UN rights chief urges Uganda’s President Museveni not to sign bill prescribing death, life sentence for LGBTQ people
Kampala, Uganda The United Nations High Commissioners for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has asked President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda not to sign the anti-homosexuality bill that was passed by the country’s parliament on Tuesday. The bill that proposes a death penalty for the offence of aggravated homosexuality, life imprisonments for the offence of homosexuality, up […]
In the US, North Carolina judge dismisses lawsuit by 36 United Methodist churches
United StatesRNS A North Carolina Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed last year by 36 United Methodist churches demanding to sever their ties to the denomination. Superior Court Judge Richard L Doughton issued an oral ruling on Monday dismissing the suit brought against the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, its […]
Some Anglican bishops reject leader Welby over gay marriage
London, UKAP Several Anglican bishops from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific said Monday that they no longer recognize Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as their leader, deepening a rift within the global Anglican Communion over gay marriage. Some bishops who belong to the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches said they no longer consider Welby […]
Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriage
London, UKAP The Church of England said Wednesday it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time but same-sex couples still will not be allowed to marry in its churches. The decision followed five years of debate and consultation on the church’s position on sexuality. It is expected to be outlined in […]