Church of England apologises to LGBTQI+ people for 'shameful' treatment

FILE PHOTO: People carry a large rainbow flag, as they take part in the 2022 Pride Parade in London, Britain July 2, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Church of England bishops apologised to LGBTQI+ people on Friday for the rejection and hostility they have faced, with the Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledging that the religious body was still "very divided" on the subject.

The apology comes days after the Church of England set out proposals developed by the bishops that showed it would refuse to allow same-sex couples to get married in its churches, but said priests could bless them in church.