The Church says in a document that its historic understanding of marriage is that it is a union of a man and a woman.

The document, released today, argued that gay couples in the UK could already enjoy many of the legal benefits of marriage through civil partnerships, which were introduced in 2005.

About a fourth of weddings in England take place in Church of England churches, which are legally obligated to provide a marriage service for any resident of a local parish, regardless of church membership.

Prime Minister David Cameron is backing the proposal for gay marriages, despite the strong opposition of some MPs in his Conservative Party.