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13 February 2011
Last updated at 05:37 ET
Ministers will publish plans to change the law to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is to propose lifting the ban on civil partnerships taking place in religious settings in England and Wales.
But religious organisations will not be compelled the Church of England has already said it will not allow its churches to be used.
Same-sex couples are currently not allowed using hymns or Bible readings.
Under the plans, it is not clear if this would change or whether civil partnership ceremonies in religious surroundings could formally be described as marriages.
Consultation It is thought this might be part of a new consultation process.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, gave the news a guarded welcome and said: "I want equality for everybody but I don't want someone telling me what the Church of England or the Catholic Church should do."
The changes will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners but are likely to raise the ire of many churchgoers.
The Sunday Telegraph claims the decision to push ahead with the legislation is a victory for Mrs Featherstone and her fellow Liberal Democrats.
The newspaper says the Church of England has already said it will not allow any of its churches to be used for civil partnership ceremonies.
The legislation would also cover synagogues and mosques although homosexuality is forbidden under Islam.
Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the newspaper.
The move follows an amendment to the Equality Act by Lord Alli, a Labour peer.
That amendment, which would not force religious venues to accept gay couples, has not yet been implemented and would require a standing order.
The BBC understands Mrs Featherstone has been consulting with gay and lesbian groups and churches about this issue and is expected to make an announcement within the next few weeks.
The Home Office spokesman said: "The government is currently considering what the next stage should be for civil partnerships, including how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples to register their relationship in a religious setting if they wish to do so.
"Ministers have met a range of people and organisations to hear their views on this issue. An announcement will be made in due course."
In February last year several senior Anglican clergymen wrote to The Times calling for the law to be changed.
The group of clerics, which includes the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Southwark and five former bishops, said: "Straight couples have the choice between civil marriage and religious marriage. Gay couples are denied a similar choice."
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Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is to propose lifting the ban on civil partnerships taking place in religious settings in England and Wales.
But religious organisations will not be compelled the Church of England has already said it will not allow its churches to be used.
Same-sex couples are currently not allowed using hymns or Bible readings.
Under the plans, it is not clear if this would change or whether civil partnership ceremonies in religious surroundings could formally be described as marriages.
Consultation It is thought this might be part of a new consultation process.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, gave the news a guarded welcome and said: "I want equality for everybody but I don't want someone telling me what the Church of England or the Catholic Church should do."
The changes will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners but are likely to raise the ire of many churchgoers.
The Sunday Telegraph claims the decision to push ahead with the legislation is a victory for Mrs Featherstone and her fellow Liberal Democrats.
The newspaper says the Church of England has already said it will not allow any of its churches to be used for civil partnership ceremonies.
The legislation would also cover synagogues and mosques although homosexuality is forbidden under Islam.
Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the newspaper.
The move follows an amendment to the Equality Act by Lord Alli, a Labour peer.
That amendment, which would not force religious venues to accept gay couples, has not yet been implemented and would require a standing order.
The BBC understands Mrs Featherstone has been consulting with gay and lesbian groups and churches about this issue and is expected to make an announcement within the next few weeks.
The Home Office spokesman said: "The government is currently considering what the next stage should be for civil partnerships, including how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples to register their relationship in a religious setting if they wish to do so.
"Ministers have met a range of people and organisations to hear their views on this issue. An announcement will be made in due course."
In February last year several senior Anglican clergymen wrote to The Times calling for the law to be changed.
The group of clerics, which includes the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Southwark and five former bishops, said: "Straight couples have the choice between civil marriage and religious marriage. Gay couples are denied a similar choice."
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