Senior clergy in the Church of England called today to lift the ban on gay couples having civil partnerships in church. They said that it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples having their ceremonies in churches willing to accommodate them.

Senior clergy in the Church of England called today to lift the ban on gay couples having civil partnerships in church. They said that it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples having their ceremonies in churches willing to accommodate them.

The government has agreed to consider allowing civil partnerships to be held in religious premises after a debate in the House of Lords last night.

The government has agreed to consider allowing civil partnerships to be held in religious premises after a debate in the House of Lords last night.

The Church of England will vote next month on whether to give more benefits to the civil partners of gay clergy. The General Synod will consider the idea of giving equal pension benefits to both straight and gay surviving spouses.

The Church of England will vote next month on whether to give more benefits to the civil partners of gay clergy. The General Synod will consider the idea of giving equal pension benefits to both straight and gay surviving spouses.