A BISHOP has hit back at reports which suggested that he had given his backing to gay and lesbian marriage services.

Newspaper reports claimed that the Right Reverend John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, had given his permission for same sex services to take place at All Hallows Church, in Leeds.

But yesterday, he said: "I would not give my approval to a form of service which could be misinterpreted as a gay wedding or a blessing of gay marriage."

He said he had given his backing to prayer services for same-sex couples in long-term, faithful relationships.

Such a move is in accordance with the 1991 Church of England document on the matter, entitled Issues in Human Sexuality.

Bishop Packer said: "I am fully aware that prayers are said at All Hallows Church, Leeds, with people in faithful same-sex partnerships.

"This is fully in accord with Issues in Human Sexuality, which stresses the need for those in same-sex relationships to receive friendship, understanding and acceptance from their fellow Christians.

"I have discussed this with the vicar, the Reverend Ray Gaston, and am happy that these services of prayer take place.

"It should be noted that there are no approved or authorised liturgies, or rites of blessing, in the diocese, nor have any such rites been authorised.

"The only vicar who has approached me for permission for prayers with couples is the Reverend Ray Gaston, of All Hallows, in Leeds."

In 1996, Bishop Packer's predecessor, the Right Rev David Young, revoked the licence of the Right Reverend Derek Rawcliffe for carrying out same-sex services.

The Right Rev Rawcliffe was the Church's first bishop to publicly admit that he was gay.