Tuesday, July 9, 2002
Church of England rejects policy of divorced people remarrying in church
A story released today by the Associated Press reports that the Church of England has decided against adopting a policy on allowing divorced people to remarry in the church, saying the decision was up to individual priests.
Church of England law holds that marriage should not be dissolved, although it permits divorce for grave causes, especially adultery. The church frowns on second marriages while the former spouse is alive. However, parish priests can decide independently to allow a church wedding for a divorcee, and many do.
On Monday, the synod -- the church's governing parliament, made up of clergy and lay people -- rejected a motion that sought to remove the prime minister and the monarch from their roles in the appointment of bishops.
Some Anglicans say changing the monarch's role in appointing bishops -- including the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the religious head of the church -- would be a step toward disestablishing the church.
