THE government is planning to give the green light to same-sex couples to take part in civil ceremonies in religious settings.

But the Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Revd John Goddard, has said that the Church of England would not be conducting such ceremonies because ‘it is not part of the Church of England’s teaching pattern’.

He said: “We recognise gay people may wish to make a commitment to each other with a civil ceremony.

“However, the Church of England has made itself clear on this matter and it will not be conducting any civil ceremonies.

“This is not about banning gay people from church. It is simply contrary to the decision made by the Anglican community.

“Gay couples are not permitted to have civil ceremonies in the Church of England. We are not judging couples but what we are saying is that it is not part of Church of England teaching pattern.

“We will not be encouraging the confusion between the marriage ceremony, for a man and a woman, and a civil service, which is a marriage-like service for same sex couples.”

Lynne Featherstone, the government’s equalities minister, said the ban on ceremonies in religious surroundings would be lifted on December 5.

The decision does not affect the government’s opposition to same-sex couples being married in churches.

It will, however, allow same-sex civil partnership to be conducted in church, as the religious part of the ceremony is kept separate from the civil registration aspect.

Churches will not be obliged to host same-sex civil partnerships.

It is estimated that about the 1,500 civil partnership ceremonies a year would take place in religious settings once the ban is lifted.

Although some in the Church of England support same-sex unions, the official position remains that clergy are not allowed to bless the events.

The Lancashire spokesman for the European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual Christians, said: “I think people should be able to choose where they get married or have a civil ceremony.

“If those people are religious they should be able to have their service recognised in the eyes of God, in a religious setting.”