Members of the General Synod of the Church of England voted this week in London to end proposals for stand-alone services for same-sex couples. The move closed the long-running Living in Love and Faith review after years of theological, legal and pastoral disagreement. Both The Christian Post and The Independent reported the decision.
A proposal from bishops to halt further work toward dedicated services for couples already in civil marriages was approved 252–132 with 21 abstentions, according to The Christian Post.
Bishops, clergy and laity showed broad support for the measure. However, prayers currently offered within regular Sunday services remained unchanged, and no new rites were authorised. At Church House Westminster, Stephen Cottrell acknowledged that the bishops accepted responsibility for the confusion and pain they caused. He stated they acknowledged procedural failures and expressed regret for the hurt experienced across the denomination, according to The Independent.
The Church of England spent between £1.6 million and £1.66 million on the Living in Love and Faith programme from 2017 to 2025, funding staffing, consultations and meetings. Although the Church introduced blessings within regular services in 2023, legal advisers reportedly warned that separate ceremonies would require high voting thresholds, which ultimately stalled progress.
Meanwhile, Sarah Mullally added that the extended debate had left the body wounded at both institutional and personal levels. Therefore, the Synod formed new working groups on relationships, sexuality and gender and set discussions to continue as the current review concluded by July.