Anglican leaders attack 'gay marriage' priests
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed "very great concern" last night about a recent "gay marriage" between two priests which threatens to destabilise the Anglican Church ahead of its 10-yearly conference.
News of last month's ceremony – in which Peter Cowell and Dr David Lord exchanged rings and vows at St Bartholomew the Great Church in London – emerged at the weekend after what some Church figures believe was a deliberately timed leak by one side of an increasingly heated argument over homosexuality in advance of next month's Lambeth conference.
Amid jostling between conservatives and liberals, The Independent has learnt that one of the "grooms", Mr Lord, a New Zealander, is set to return there this summer, and his partner is considering following him, leading some Anglicans to point out that they will not be practising their ministries in the UK. One source described the ceremony as a "hit and run".
In a joint statement, Dr Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: "Clergy who disagree with the Church's teaching are at liberty to seek to persuade others [but they are] not at liberty simply to disregard it."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments