Justin Welby appears on the verge of tears during an emotional debate over the blessing of gay couples

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby fought back tears last night as he rebuked “outsiders” who were trying to force the Church of England to change its doctrine on marriage and blessing ministries for gay couples.

The synod — known as the parliament of the church — is considering a motion that regrets the church’s failure to “welcome LGBTQI+ people” by rolling out proposals for clergy to bless same-sex couples.

Within the proposals, the position on gay marriage will not change and same-sex couples will still not be able to marry in church.

At a debate last night, members rejected 16 attempts to change the proposal to offer blessings to same-sex couples.

They will return this morning to complete the final vote.

The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke passionately at the synod last night

Justin Welby referred to being held hostage in Nigeria during his speech

Archbishop advocates blessing for same-sex couples

So far, bishops have declined requests for vicars to perform same-sex marriages, but have apologized for the homophobia suffered by people in the church and suggested that new blessing services should be allowed.

But some traditionalists say this is going too far, and will worry that the proposed introduction of gender-neutral language is another example of the church trying to help dwindling congregations as young people increasingly stay away.

An emotional Most Rev Justin Welby – who supports blessings on gay couples – has criticized politicians who want to force the church to accept gay marriage.

Both Labor’s Ben Bradshaw and Conservative’s Chris Loder have suggested they would consider using legislation against the Church to force it to allow gay marriage.

Drawing on his own experiences as a hostage for his faith in Nigeria, where he would be “killed in the morning”, Welby passionately defended those members of the Anglican communion who stood by their faith.

Mr Welby had already said last month that he welcomed the proposals but would not personally implement them because of his “pastoral responsibility for the whole community”.

Welby said he would not personally make any changes because of his “pastoral responsibility for the entire community.”

Labor Party’s Ben Bradshaw has indicated he would look to legislation to force the change

During the debate, he added: “I don’t endorse these resources, I believe, because I’m controlled by culture, but because of Scripture, tradition and reason, which shows in the tremendous amount of work that’s been done over the past six years.” done so skillfully by so many. i can be wrong Of course I can.

‘But I can’t get away from it any more than anyone else here.

“I ask every synod member to vote with their Spirit-inspired conscience, scriptural or spiritually guided, and not because groups or lobbies or outsiders have told you to.

“I’ve heard them in Parliament for the last two weeks and I’ve been told exactly what to do, I’m not doing any of it.

“It’s something I don’t take lightly.

“Nothing in my life, my heart or my prayers ranks as high as the safety and prosperity of the people I love in the Anglican Communion.”