Ministers signal gay marriage could take place in church

Desmond Swayne, Mr Cameron’s parliamentary aide, said that those churches which want to marry gay couples should be free to do so.

Meanwhile Crispin Blunt, the prisons minister, said that the current plans for a blanket ban on religious groups from carrying out gay marriages could prove “problematic legally”.

He added the promised exemption for religious groups may not survive even the initial Parliamentary process.

And the Home Office confirmed that it was “listening to” some religious groups who have said that they would like to carry out same-sex weddings.

The admissions appear to represent a step back from the previous Government assurance that any bill to introduce gay marriage would specifically exclude religious groups to protect those who object on grounds of conscience.

Both the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church have already voiced fears that the Government’s pledge would not withstand a challenge in Parliament or the courts.

The admission came as the Coalition For Marriage, which opposes the change, handed a petition carrying the names of 550,000 signatories to Downing Street – one of the biggest petitions ever collected in Britain.

Meanwhile the Roman Catholic Church published its formal response to the Government consultation on same-sex marriage accusing the Government of ignoring democratic opposition to the proposals.

In a 10-page submission, the Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Revd Peter Smith, says the Coalition has “no electoral mandate” to impose such as a “radical change” in social policy which would have unpredictable and irreversible consequences.

In the consultation document Theresa may, the Home Secretary, makes clear that same-sex marriage would only apply to civil weddings excluding churches, mosques and synagogues.

“The Government is not seeking to change how religious organisations define religious marriage and any subsequent legislation would be clear that no religious organisation could conduct a religious marriage ceremony on religious premises for same-sex couples,” the document says.

But several groups including the Quakers and liberal branches of Judaism have signalled a willingness to conduct same-sex marriages and other Churches believe the exemption would be open to a legal challenge.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Blunt said: "We are seeking to protect, indeed proscribe, religious organisations from offering gay marriage.

"That may be problematic legally but the proposal that the Government is putting forward is that marriage should be equal in the eyes of the state, whether it is between a same-sex couple or whether it is between a man and a woman."

He added: "It may be that proscribing all religious organisations who have a licence to carry out marriage from carrying out same sex marriages - that may be rather more problematic legally than trying to give a protection for those religious organisations that do not wish to do so and making sure that they do not have to do so.

"These things will be debated in Parliament when the proposals are brought forward."

Mr Swayne, said: “I’m a conservative but I’m in favour of gay marriage because I am a Christian, I want to see my church being able to marry gay people.

“The world changes and this is a liberalising measure. This will enable people to do what they want to and what they believe is right. It doesn’t force anyone to do anything.

“Those who dislike the notion of gay marriage can continue to believe as they did before … this is a free vote matter, it’s a liberalising measure, it’s something on which people will hold different opinions and that’s what a consultation is for and that’s why we have a parliament.”

Ben Summerskill of Stonewall said: “We welcome the fact that ministers are clearly thinking carefully about how to allow gay people who want to get married while at the same time protecting the religious organisations including the Church of England that do not feel able to celebrate their long-term relationships at this time.”

Mike Judge of the Christian Institute who was among those handing in the Coalition For Marriage petition, said the admissions would spell “legal chaos”.

“If they do allow gay weddings in religious settings - then every church, mosque and synagogue is a big step closer to being sued if it says no to a gay wedding,” he said.

“The Church of England will be first in the firing line.

“Whatever reassurances the Government gives will be swept aside by the European court or domestic courts.”

But Conor Marron, co-founder of the Coalition for Equal Marriage, which supports gay marriage, said: "The only truly fair course of action is to give those who wish to perform same-sex marriage the right to do so, and to legally protect the rights of those institutions who are opposed.”

In his submission Archbishop Smith echoes concerns from the Church of England that any exemption for religious groups is likely to be overturned.

He added: “It is of serious concern to the Bishops therefore that this proposal, which has the potential to impact so immensely on the social stability of our society and which has significant implications for the unique institution of marriage and of family life, appears not to have been subject to such careful study and analysis.”

Around 100,000 people have submitted their views to the official Government consultation on “equal marriage”, which ends on Thursday, thought to be the largest ever response to a Government listening exercise.

But the document makes clear that volume of responses would have no bearing on the final decision.

Archbishop Smith said: “As the Government has no electoral mandate for this policy, and at no time has set out in full the arguments in favour of such a significant social change, it should reflect very carefully not only on the points made by those who object, but also on the number of individuals who make them.”

Mrs May said: "We have been very clear that we are not going to ask the church to do anything against their conscience – they will not be required to host same-sex marriages."