LONDON — An alliance of church leaders threatened to split from the Church of England over plans to let gay couples hold standalone services in churches, saying it would be a departure from the institution's teaching on marriage.

In a letter to the two senior-most bishops of the Church, the dissenting group said the plans were "clearly contrary" to its own doctrine affirming that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The Church, which does not allow same-sex marriages in its 16,000 churches, crossed a milestone in 2022 when it decided to let priests bless same-sex couples. Those blessings are permitted only as part of regular services open to the public, not as standalone services, as allowed for weddings.

A proposal due to be discussed at an upcoming synod next month would allow standalone services for same sex couples on a trial basis. These would not count as marriages, but conservatives say they would still go too far.

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