An amendment to allow services for gay couples in Church of England parishes was passed by one vote in their parliament. The vote, which narrowly passed in the General Synod, the church’s legislative body, means specific services of blessing could be allowed. This comes soon after bishops refused to allow a change in teaching, which would’ve permitted priests to marry a gay couple. While the service is not a formal wedding, it will include the wearing of rings, prayers and a blessing from a priest. Rt Rev Stephen Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, campaigned for a change in the church’s stance and said he is “delighted” with the news. "The Church of England remains deeply homophobic, whatever bishops and archbishops may say. I fear that much of the nation will judge the Church of England as being abusive, hypocritical, and unloving, they are sadly correct," said Jayne Ozanne, a member of the Church of England’s General Synod. However, Rev. Canon John Dunnett, the national director of the Church of England Evangelical Council, felt “grieved and saddened” by the news. "It will tear local parish congregations apart, damage the relationship between large numbers of clergy and their bishops and cause churches across the dioceses to feel as though their shepherds have abandoned them," said Rev Canon John Dunnett. The proposal for the stand-alone services will take place on a trial basis before a formal process of authorization, which could take two years.