Next month, the Church of England will finally begin to grasp the nettle of what to do about same-sex relationships. At a meeting of the church’s General Synod in London, vicars, bishops and ordinary churchgoers will debate new proposals from the church’s hierarchy which would give gay couples the chance to have their marriages blessed in church for the first time. The C of E’s most senior bishops hope this contentious compromise might draw a line under the tortuous and fractious debate on LGBT issues which has bedevilled the church for decades. But already loud voices on both sided are rising insisting the blessings idea is a non-starter. This week we speak to a prominent activist from both factions to hear what they think would be a better way forward, and how the synod showdown will unfold.

Released on 23 Jan 2023