LONDON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The English law on civil unions for gay couples may soon be changed to allow religious ceremonies.
The change has the backing of Church of England bishops sitting in the House of Lords and many Anglican priests, The Times of London reported. A group of clergy, in a letter to the Times published Tuesday, said solemnizing civil unions should be up to individual religious groups.
The Church of England, the established church, bans celebrations of same-sex unions. But observers say that if the law changes some Anglican churches are likely to ignore the official prohibition.
Lord Waheed Alli, the first openly gay member of the House of Lords, is expected to introduce the amendment to the Civil Partnership Act within a few days. Supporters include Quakers, Unitarians, liberal Jews and several Church of England bishops, including the Right Rev. Timothy Stevens, the bishop of Leicester and convener of the 26 bishops in the Lords.
Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Center said changing the law might reduce religious freedom.
"Homosexual activists have made clear that this is not the end," she said. "It is a step towards forcing churches to conduct same-sex unions that would go against their beliefs."
