Anglican groups revolt against same-sex blessing plan

Conservative body in Church of England encourages dioceses to protest, and says opposition is growing

Conservative clergy and parishioners have launched a small but vocal revolt against the Church of England's plan to offer to bless the civil marriages of same-sex couples, a move that some Christians believe is contrary to biblical teaching.

In Buckinghamshire, a large group parish plans to refuse to offer blessings to same-sex couples in its seven churches and is taking steps to withhold its annual contribution of 235,000 to the diocese of Oxford in protest.