Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Priests marry in first gay church wedding

Sadie Gray
Sunday 15 June 2008 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The first gay marriage has been carried out in an Anglican church between two vicars, weeks before a summit of senior clergy threatens to split the Church over the issue of homosexual priests.

The Rev Peter Cowell and the Rev Dr David Lord exchanged vows at St Bartholomew the Great in the City of London last month, using one of the church's most traditional wedding rites.

Some clergy have carried out blessings for civil partnerships, but this is the first time a wedding service has been held for a same-sex couple, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

The Lambeth Conference, attended by some 800 Anglican bishops and archbishops from around the globe, takes place in Canterbury next month.

The service broke Church of England guidelines, which state that gay clergy can enter into a civil partnership if they provide assurances that they will abstain from sex. It was also carried out after the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, warned the parish rector the Rev Martin Dudley that it breached the guidelines.

The Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Rev Henry Orombi, said: "The leadership tried to deny this would happen, but now the truth is out. Our respect for the Church of England will erode unless we see a return to traditional teaching."

Mr Dudley said: "I believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, but I see nothing wrong with blessing a couple who want to make a life-long commitment."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in