"The hopes of progressive Christians in the Church of England have suffered a big blow after years of bitter and divisive debate, with the C of E’s ruling body agreeing to halt work on LGBTQ+ equality. The decision means that three years of work on allowing clergy to conduct special services to bless same sex couples in a civil marriage will end. The prohibition on clergy being married in a civil ceremony to same sex partners will stay in place.""The issue will now be put in the deep freeze until a new synod is in place. Liberal and conservative factions are likely to campaign on the issue in elections later this year in the hope of breaking the deadlock in their favour." FULL STORY at above link.