Canterbury Cathedral to offer prayers of love and faith to same-sex couples

Canterbury Cathedral is the last cathedral to offer prayers of love and faith to same-sex couples who are already in a civil partnership or marriage, or who have sealed a covenant of friendship.

Canterbury Cathedral to offer prayers of love and faith to same-sex couples

This 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 as part of regular public worship services for same-sex couples who love each other and who wish to give thanks and mark that love in faith before God, and who are part of the Cathedral community.

Those eligible to request these prayers include regular members of the congregation, those who live in cathedral properties adjacent to the cathedral and those who have a strong pastoral connection with the cathedral community among staff, clergy and volunteers.

On 12 December 2023, the House of Bishops of the Church of England recommended the use of prayers of love and faith and associated pastoral guidance in regular public worship services from Sunday 17 December 2023.

Since this decision, Canterbury Cathedral has – like all other Church of England cathedrals and churches – been free to choose whether or not to offer prayers of love and faith.

After discussion, the Dean and Ruling Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral unanimously decided to offer prayers of love and faith.

Couples who are part of the Cathedral community and would like to be offered prayers of love and faith at Canterbury Cathedral can inquire by emailing [email protected].

The Prayers of Love and Faith have been designed specifically for same-sex couples, for whom no other provision is currently made. However, if an opposite sex couple within our Cathedral community is interested in being offered Prayers of Love and Faith, Canterbury Clergy are happy to discuss this with them.