Elton John ties the knot - It has begun

Elton John ties the knot along with about 700 other couples in what has been called the first ’same-sex weddings’. The Daily Telegraph’s headliner was “Gay pride or unholy alliance.” From criminalization to exaltation, same sex unions now has a strong foothold in Great Britain. Media coverage was either enhanced or slightly overshadowed by Elton’s ‘wedding’.

Despite a few negative rumblings among some church leaders the paper had no difficulty quoting glad tidings of the near Christmas event. This was intentional and only will feed upon the good will toward all men and gay marriages.

“It is wonderful,” Sir Antony said. “It is a little bit of history being made. I feel very proud that this is happening in this country and that we can be part of the very first group to have it done.”

The church of England is also showing a dismantling its own illusions of being united for what is claims to believe. Though being single was a biblical disqualification for being a bishop it appears that they are flirting with going half way and not all the way as it relaxes its restrictions upon the bishops.

The reform is also creating tensions in the Church of England, whose bishops have produced guidance saying that clergy can enter civil partnerships if they make assurances that they will abstain from sex. The House of Bishops banned clergy from holding formal blessing services for such partnerships.

I would suspect that it will accept unions of either one as one bishop is already planning to be united with his male partner.

The Rev Christopher Wardale and his partner, Michael Macourt, had also failed to inform the present Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Tom Wright, of their plans.

The culture of England will slowly continue to change and will in the end complete the transformation of the church of England. Though I suspect it will not end there. The BBC has an article entitled “All Equal Now?” which indicates that the movement is still a long way from full acceptance. See this as a requirement eventually for full marriage and the blessings of the organized church.

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