Anglicans get a second chance. .

LONDON--The Church of England has given final approval to allow divorced people to remarry in the Anglican church. While the declaration maintains the Anglican canon that marriage be undertaken as a "solemn, public, and life-long covenant," it recognizes that "some marriages regrettably do fail and that the church's care for couples in that situation should be of paramount importance."

In the past, a person could remarry in the church if a spouse or former spouse passed away, but the new rules allow remarriage even when the former spouse is living. The decision to allow a second marriage rests with the cleric of the church at which the couple has applied for marriage. The cleric may refer the case to his or her bishop or adviser.

The Gazette of the Church of England reports that a leaflet with further explanation of the rules will be issued with the marriage application form, and that clerics will get training in how to deal with this matter.

The Church of England does not have authority over Anglican churches in other countries. The Episcopal Church USA already has a policy allowing divorced people to remarry.