Pastor Franklin Graham reacted to the news that the Church of England (Anglican) approved last Thursday (9) the idea of blessing gay marriage. From now on, people who maintain civilly recognized homosexual relationships will be able to seek the blessing of the denomination’s clergy.
“I know that what we have proposed as a way forward does not go far enough for many, but too far for others,” said the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who participated in the debates that culminated in the current decision.
Mullally called the decision to welcome and bless gay marriage “a moment of hope for the Church”. On the official website of the denomination that brings together about 85 million faithful in 165 countries, the General Synod of the institution describes the approved motion as follows:
“The General Synod of the Church of England has welcomed proposals that would allow same-sex couples to come to church after a civil marriage or civil partnership to give thanks, dedicate their relationship to God and receive God’s blessing.”
“Blessing Sin”
World-renowned evangelist Franklin Graham has criticized the Anglican Church’s decision, saying the motion passed by the Synod is a “shame” that distorts biblical teaching on the marriage union and the concept of love between human beings.
“They use 1 John 4:16 to defend this illegal decree: ‘God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them,’” he wrote Graham on his social media.
“They are interpreting love = sex, and that love gives license to have sex with whoever they say they love. This is not what God teaches. The Church of England is blessing sin. By doing this, they are trying to nullify Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Shame, shame, shame,” he added.
Adherence to theological liberalism by the Anglican Church has occurred over the years. England’s denomination is the parent of the Anglican Communion, and changes to its doctrine include the ordination of women to the priesthood (1994) as well as female bishops (2014).
As for the motion approved on Thursday, the Anglican Church restricts the decision to the recognition of gay union in the sense of being able – according to the denomination – to be blessed by God, but not to celebrate same-sex marriages.
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