A widening split could affect the Church of England (C of E) following opposition by evangelicals to the General Synod approving the prospect of trialing a standalone blessing service for homosexual couples. On Monday, the General Synod, the governing body for Anglican churches, met in the city of York, England, to debate progress made since February on the “Living in Love and Faith” initiative by the Bishop of Leicrester, the Rt Rev. Martyn Snow. Clergy are currently allowed to bless gay couple’s marriages in regular C of E services. Yet a motion at the debate passed to remove restrictions on using “Prayers of Love and Faith” at standalone services for same-sex couples. The initiative also caters for “pastoral reassurance” to support clergy not wanting to take part in such services.