Words on this page
Bishop
‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.
Liturgy
Liturgy is a set form of words and action used for worship. In the Church in Wales (and many other churches) these forms follow the same pattern from one congregation to another. Most Anglican liturgies look back in some way to the Book of Common Prayer.
Sacrament
A sacrament is a visible sign of God’s invisible gift. In the sacrament of baptism the sign is water to cleanse and revive; in the Eucharist it is blessed bread and wine, Jesus’ body and blood.
Same-sex marriage
Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013
Since March 29 2014, under the provisions of this Act, same-sex marriages are permitted by law in England and Wales and, as a result of this, clerics may receive enquiries from same-sex couples seeking to be married in church.
As the law stands, same-sex marriages may not be solemnised by the Church in Wales. However, following approval at the Governing Body of the Church in Wales in September 2021, a Liturgy for the Blessing of a Same-sex Civil Marriage or Civil Partnership has been authorised by the bishops for use in each of the dioceses from 1 October 2021. Thetext of the service is available here.
Background papers on same sex partnerships
- The Church in Wales and Same-Sex Partnerships (PDF)
- Marriage as a Sacrament - by Ainsley Griffiths (PDF)
- Sexuality and the Image of God - by Peter Sedgwick (PDF)
- The concept of Flourishing in Relation to Marriage as a Good, and the Question of Gay Partnerships - by Ali Green (PDF)
- Same Sex Marriage - Biblical Considerations - by Will Strange (PDF)
- Fundamental Scriptural Approaches - by Matthew Hill (PDF)