UK: The new Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says he stands by the Church of England's opposition to proposed introduction of gay marriage, as he is formally confirmed in office

Record ID: 278354

  • Title: UK: The new Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says he stands by the Church of England's opposition to proposed introduction of gay marriage, as he is formally confirmed in office
  • Date: 4th February 2013
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (DECEMBER 21, 2005) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) GAY MAN PLACING RING ON PARTNER'S FINGER AND THE COUPLE EMBRACING
  • Embargoed: 19th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Politics,People,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA92E8O4A2J6GWQP5O2ACY9IM8L
  • Story Text: Justin Welby was confirmed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury in a legal ceremony at London's St Paul's Cathedral on Monday (February 4).
    Welby said he stood by the Church of England's criticism of legislation to introduce gay marriage, as he was formally confirmed in office. Members of parliament are due to vote on gay marriage plans on Tuesday.
    "It's not a collision course, no. It's just part of the normal discussions that one has. We made our views clear and I am very much with the house of bishops on this. And they have made their views clear," Welby said after the ceremony.
    Welby was confirmed as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and the leader of the 77-million strong Anglican Communion at a service under the dome of the cathedral attended by senior bishops.
    He succeeds Rowan Williams, who left after a decade in office at the end of December to take up a new post as master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
    During the ceremony, the archbishop took the oath of allegiance to the Queen and made a formal written declaration of assent to his election as Archbishop of Canterbury.
    Members of Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party are divided over the gay marriage plans, which would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies. The proposals will come into effect in England and Wales in 2014.
    "I regard this as a conscience issue. I would be voting as a constituency MP and really, that's all I have to say. Tomorrow, I will be casting my vote," said Welsh Secretary, David Jones, who has opposed the plans.
    But Culture Secretary Maria Miller said the government was right to go ahead with the plans.
    "We shouldn't be marginalising those people who are in same-sex relationships and excluding them from what I believe is one of the most powerful institutions in this country, and that's marriage," she said.
    The bill is supported by Britain's two other main parties, opposition Labour and Conservative coalition partners the Liberal Democrats.
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