Church to vote on greater rights for partners of gay clergy

The Church of England is poised to give greater recognition to homosexual clergy in relationships, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
By Jonathan Wynne-Jones
Religious Affairs Correspondent
16 Jan 2010

A proposal to give the partners of gay priests some of the same rights that are awarded to priests' spouses is likely to spark a new row over homosexuality.

Bishops and senior clergy will debate at next month's General Synod whether the Church should provide same-sex couples with the same financial benefits as are awarded to married couples.

Traditionalists have expressed strong opposition to the move, which they claim would give official recognition to homosexual relationships. the rest