Archbishop of Canterbury 'apologises' for LGBT rainbow flag on Church live stream

The Archbishop of Canterbury reportedly apologised after an LGBT rainbow flag flashed up on a Church of England live stream moments after blessings for same-sex couples were approved by its governing body.

A motion on the proposals was voted through by the Church’s General Synod on Thursday. Seconds later, a rainbow flag briefly appeared in the bottom right of the screen on the live stream.

The Church’s YouTube video appears to have been edited since it was broadcasted live, with the flag - which popped up three hours, 17 minutes and 46 seconds into the stream before quickly disappearing - appearing to have been blurred out. However, it still remains visible.

According to Premier Christian News, the appearance of the flag later prompted an apology from archbishop Justin Welby, who had said he “joyfully” welcomed the blessings proposals.

He reportedly said: “To those who are offended by that, I would like to apologise sincerely on behalf of the Church for what should not have happened.”

A General Synod spokesperson acknowledged the "unexpected graphic" when approached by Yahoo News UK and said an investigation will be carried out.

“We’re aware of an unexpected graphic which appeared on our Synod live feed and have asked the AV team from the Corporation of Church House to look into how this occurred," the spokesperson said.

The passing of the motion for blessings for same-sex couples in the Church was welcomed as a “moment of hope” - but with a recognition that “divisions run deep” on the issue.

It is now expected that by summer, people in same-sex civil partnerships or marriages will be able to go to Anglican churches and receive a blessing to celebrate that relationship. There has been no legislative change and the decision for clergy to offer blessings is a voluntary one.

Watch: Same-sex blessings a ‘moment of hope’ for Church but divisions still ‘run deep’

The motion was voted through following a marathon eight-hour debate at the Synod. It spanned two days and heard multiple opposing views.

While the result was given in relative silence at a packed room at Church House in Westminster, the room erupted into applause moments later in recognition of the debate’s chairman, and some of those gathered together became emotional and hugged.

The position on gay marriage will not change and same-sex couples will still be unable to marry in church – although senior figures in the Church have recognised the conversation on equal marriage is likely to continue.

Read more: Church of England to consider use of gender neutral terms for God

In a joint statement following the vote, Mr Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said it had been a “long road to get us to this point”.

The archbishops added: “For the first time, the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church.

“The Church continues to have deep differences on these questions which go to the heart of our human identity.”