It is unfair to say that same-sex marriage is “forbidden by the church [of England] despite being sanctioned by parliament” (Are you there, God? It’s me, Justin, Weekend, 19 May). In the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, culture secretary Maria Miller imposed a “quadruple lock” on the Church of England, banning it from offering same-sex marriage without fresh primary legislation. Many clergy would like to offer weddings to all, but their hands are tied by this legislation. The British Social Attitudes survey shows that a large majority of Anglicans support same-sex marriage. The Scottish Episcopal Church, part of the Anglican Communion but not established and not hampered by this act, has been performing same-sex marriages since 2017.
Priscilla Bench-Capon
West Kirby, Wirral
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