Most Anglicans now support same-sex marriage despite official Church of England stance

YouGov study found almost half of Anglicans think same-sex marriage is right, compared to a third in 2013

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The majority of Anglicans now believe that same-sex marriage is right, according to a YouGov poll.

There has been a marked increase in support from Church of England members, the research shows. In 2013, only 38 per cent were in support but this year, the number has risen to 48 per cent.​

This is compared to only 34 per cent who think same-sex marriage is wrong – this figure has decreased from 47 per cent in 2013. This is despite the Church’s official stance remaining against same-sex relationships.

Age and gender also have a role to play – in those aged 50 and under, over two thirds now believe it is right that same-sex couples should be allowed to get married. And over half of Anglican women (53 per cent) are supportive compared to 41 per cent of Anglican men.

The YouGov poll was commissioned by the Ozanne Foundation, which works with religious organisations around the world to eliminate discrimination based on sexuality and gender.

The survey covered 5,169 people in Britain, including 1,171 Anglicans in England.

Despite the move towards greater support, those who identify as Anglican still lag well behind the general public in accepting same-sex marriage.

In the general population, 60 per cent of Brits support same-sex marriage and only 24 per cent are against.

Jayne Ozanne, the director of the foundation, told The Telegraph that the results show the Church is “kicking the can down the road” on the issue in failing to update guidelines. “These results show that those opposed to same-sex marriage are now clearly in the minority,” she said.

“The results also show the huge mismatch between the Church of England’s leadership and those who worship in our churches.

“This is deeply worrying for the future of our church. Attitudes are changing fast, yet the Church of England appears to remain intransigent on a matter that is affecting the lives of so many of its LGBT+ members, their families and friends.”

The figures come just weeks after a public fallout over a message published in the House of Bishop’s statement that said sex was only for married heterosexual couples.

Although the message was only a reiteration of a long-held stance, the Church faced mockery with many saying it was out of touch.

In response, a number of bishops sought to distance themselves from the messaging. Rachel Treweek, bishop of Gloucester, issued an open letter saying she was “deeply frustrated and saddened”.

Paul Bayes, bishop of Liverpool, retweeted an open letter written by other Church figures calling for recognition that it had been made a “laughing stock” by the statement.

The letter said: “The Church of England has this week become a laughing stock to a nation that believes it is obsessed with sex.”

A spokesperson for the Church of England said in response to the YouGov findings: “We know that there is disagreement in the Church of England over the question of same-sex marriage.”