First Gay Wedding Takes Place in Scottish Episcopal Church
In June 2017, the Scottish Episcopal Church announced that same-sex marriages would be permitted in chapels and churches.
According to The Guardian newspaper, a simple and intimate ceremony has since taken place in Edinburgh between two American men with close ties to Scotland.
According to The Guardian newspaper, a simple and intimate ceremony has since taken place in Edinburgh between two American men with close ties to Scotland.
LGBT campaigners have been greatly encouraged by the Episcopal Church's decision, but the news hasn’t been welcomed by other Anglican Christians.
Of the 45 churches in the international Anglican community, they almost all oppose same-sex marriage.
Gay marriage and homosexuality are difficult subjects for many within in the Christian faith.
What is of immediate concern to the Church is the growing rift between the liberal western churches and the more conservative churches in Africa and Asia.
The Archbishop of Uganda has announced that he’ll be leading a boycott of the global Anglican community. For him, and many others within his faith, marriage is a sacred vow between a woman and a man.
In the United States and Canada, Episcopal Churches have already made steps to allow same-sex marriage, and it'll be interesting to see if any more follow or if, indeed, the Anglican faith can stop its community splitting further.
In Europe, the Church of Norway -- a Lutheran Christian denomination -- voted earlier this year to allow same-sex weddings in their churches.