Church of England to review gay policies

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LONDON, July 2 (UPI) -- The Church of England says it will review its policy on same-sex relationships and would consider letting gay clergy be ordained as bishops.

There is pressure on the Anglican church to conform to laws guaranteeing equal treatment to gay people, the BBC reported Saturday.

"It is now nearly six years since the house issued its pastoral statement prior to the introduction of civil partnerships in December 2005," the church said in a statement. "The preparation of that document was the last occasion when the house devoted substantial time to the issue of same-sex relationships. We undertook to keep that pastoral statement under review. We have decided that the time has come for a review to take place."

The BBC said the church's announcement suggests it might be on course for a greater acceptance of homosexuality -- a move that would be strongly resisted by traditionalists.