'The meaning of civil partnership was unclear as it could include siblings or friends simply living in the one house.'

This is untrue of CP in the UK. It is legal recognition of a same sex relationship of love, and confers legal status upon the happy couple, including next of kin status.

Why would married couples be celibate for heaven's sakes !

Civil partnerships are subject to the table of kindred and affinity - siblings are specifically excluded from entering into such a legal arrangement.

How interesting that Rowan Williams should ask!

The double standards never end.

"the table of kindred and affinity" - is this the same one I found at the back of an 18th c copy of the English BCP? It bans some rather unlikely couplings, if I remember, including forbiding marriages between grandparents and grandchildren. It's a long list.

'Honest opinions were expressed on all sides'

There is hope for us all yet.

In the Church of England the Synod has recognised Civil Partnerships, and many priests have registered their civil partnership, and this has been recognised, and accepted by the Church Commissioners

Fr John (Scotland).

Fr John's comment begs the question, what is Rowan asking? ("The Archbishop of Canterbury mentioned ... The Church of England had issued guidelines on clergy in civil partnership. He wondered if the moratoria included those clergy involved in civil partnership. Some were in celibate same sex partnerships. In response to the above it was noted that the moratoria referred to consecration of bishops, and authorisation of formal blessing of same sex unions. The meaning of civil partnership was unclear as it could include siblings or friends simply living in the one house.")

To use a North American expression "Give me a break". I have never heard such hypocritical doublespeak in my entire life.

If TEC and the ACC has simply phrased it all as "Civil Partnerships" the whole question of would never have come up?

One has to ask if we can hear anything with integrity coming out of the Church of England and its obviously addle brained Primate.

'Honest opinions were expressed on all sides'

Well, it could be worse; at least they didn't engage in 'a free and frank exchange of views'...

And why shouldn't the TEC be in the communion, as the Anglican Communion is in full communion with the Old Catholics Churches of the union of Utrecht, and the Church of Sweden who bless and marry gays.
It wouldn't make sense to throw TEC and AC of C and remain in communion with the others.

Though RIW ...some provinces of the Anglican Communion are not in full communion with the Old Catholics ( just how far does the Bonn Agreement extend..it would be interesting to know?) and most provinces are not in the Poorvoo Communion.And in what sense are some provinces ( Nigeria, Uganda ??) still in full communion with the Abp of C? As +Michael Ramsey said post the ordination of women ( in my hearing) " Its a mess, its a mess, its a mess " possibly a few more messes!!! ......

"Why would married couples be celibate for heaven's sakes!"

Posted by: Pantycelyn on Friday

What Pantycelyn may be missing here is the fact that some of us who are married to an opposite gender partner - who married because of filial attachment and not for the express purpose of generating children or for a heterosexual marital relationship - are living what may be considered to be a technically celibate life-style.

I have no further comment to make on this particular situation except to say that it may be more common than is generally known or talked about - but may involve some gays in a marriage which may be thought to be what is sometimes termed 'convenient' - completely ignoring the fact that the content of agape rather than erotic love has evoked this loving life-time bond. Such marriages are only a small part of the amazingly complex situation of 'Loving Relationships' that occur within the charity, love and mercy of God, and which cannot be limited to hetero-sexually *active* relationships in marriage.

""Why would married couples be celibate for heaven's sakes!"

I believe that studies show quite a large proportion of marriages are sexless.