From the archive, 22 April 1971: Anglicans may revise law on divorcees

Originally published in the Guardian on 22 April 1971The report of the Commission on the Christian Doctrine of Marriage unanimously recommends that the Church should find out if there is enough support ? "a moral consensus" ? for such a major change in its discipline. If so, Church law should be changed.The report will be one of the most controversial produced for years. It now goes to the General Synod, the Church's parliament, where opinions are deeply divided on remarriage. Any revision of ecclesiastical law could take several years. Altogether the Church has been debating its attitude to marriage "casualties" for 100 years. The commission denies that the Church is being asked to bow to secular pressures, or to drag along, lamely and complacently, at the heels of the State.If the

Read more ...