As hundreds of
gay men and lesbians in the United Kingdon tie the knot in
civil union ceremonies this week, a gay vicar for the Church
of England had his union blessed in the church,
London's Daily Telegraph reported.
The Reverend Christopher Wardale and partner
Malcolm Macourt received the blessing at St. Thomas
the Martyr Church in Newcastle following their civil
partnership ceremony. The couple repeated their civil union
vows, with the Right Reverend David Jenkins
proclaiming, "Almighty God, bless these rings which we
offer in your name. Grant that those who wear them may
always have faith in you and each other. May they do your
will, live together in peace and love, and work for the good
of others. Grant that, sharing their joys and their
fears, each with patience and trust, may grow in love,
freedom, and truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord.''
In July the church's House of Bishops
banned formal blessings of civil partnerships, the
newspaper reported. In addition, the guidelines bar
clergy from civil unions unless they are celibate.
The bishop of Newcastle told reporters he was
furious and could take action against Wardale. "If he
fails to act, he will anger conservative Anglicans at
home and abroad who are already suspicious that Church
of England bishops are lax on homosexuality," the newspaper
said. (Advocate.com)
