Canterbury Cathedral is the latest cathedral to offer Prayers of Love and Faith to same-sex couples already in civil partnerships or civil marriages, or who have sealed a covenanted friendship.
Canterbury Cathedral to offer Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples
It follows a unanimous decision by the Dean and governing Chapter.
Many churches and cathedrals including Bristol Cathedral have already taken this step.
These prayers will be offered within regular services of public worship for same-sex couples who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God, and who are part of the Cathedral community.
Those eligible to ask for these prayers include regular congregation members, those living in Cathedral properties adjacent to the Cathedral, and those with a strong pastoral connection to the Cathedral community from amongst staff, clergy, and volunteers.
On 12 December 2023, the Church of England’s House of Bishops commended the Prayers of Love and Faith and associated pastoral guidance for use in regular public worship services with effect from Sunday 17 December 2023.
Since this decision, Canterbury Cathedral has – like every other Church of England cathedral and church – been free to choose whether or not to offer Prayers of Love and Faith.
Following discussion, Canterbury Cathedral’s Dean and governing Chapter decided unanimously to offer Prayers of Love and Faith.
Couples who are part of the Cathedral community and who are interested in being offered Prayers of Love and Faith at Canterbury Cathedral can enquire by emailing occasionaloffices@canterbury-cathedral.org
The Prayers of Love and Faith were designed specifically for same-sex couples, for whom no other provision is currently made, however, if an opposite-sex couple who are part of our Cathedral community are interested in being offered Prayers of Love and Faith, Canterbury clergy is happy to discuss this with them.
