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Anger at Anglican gay 'wedding' Anger at Anglican gay 'wedding'
(about 1 hour later)
Traditionalists in the Anglican Church have been angered by reports that two gay clergymen have exchanged vows in a version of a marriage ceremony. Traditionalists in the Anglican Church have been angered after two gay clergymen exchanged vows in a version of a marriage ceremony.
The service, at St Bartholomew the Great Church in the City of London last month, used formal rites and was said to be the first in the Anglican Church. The service, at St Bartholomew the Great Church in the City of London last month, used formal rites.
The event has no legal status but critics say it flouted guidelines.
The Reverend Peter Cowell and the Reverend Dr David Lord were already civil partners.The Reverend Peter Cowell and the Reverend Dr David Lord were already civil partners.
Reverend Martin Dudley, who conducted the ceremony, said church rules had not been broken.
The couple are said to have exchanged vows and rings in front of hundreds of guests.The couple are said to have exchanged vows and rings in front of hundreds of guests.
The event has no legal status but critics say it flouted guidelines. It is thought to be the first in the Anglican Church.
'Erosion of respect''Erosion of respect'
Anglicans worldwide are split over homosexuality and conservatives have condemned the service as blasphemous.Anglicans worldwide are split over homosexuality and conservatives have condemned the service as blasphemous.
Critics say the wording of a traditional wedding expressly defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.Critics say the wording of a traditional wedding expressly defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Martin Dudley, who told BBC Radio 4's Sunday Programme that he had not broken any instructions issued by the bishops. The service was conducted by the Reverend Dudley, who told BBC Radio 4's Sunday Programme that he had not broken any instructions issued by the bishops.
"It wasn't a gay church wedding, it was the blessing of two people who have contracted a civil partnership."It wasn't a gay church wedding, it was the blessing of two people who have contracted a civil partnership.
"It had to be words that I could use with integrity, that my fellow clergy assisting me could use, and that Peter and David felt expressed their love for each other and their commitment to each other.""It had to be words that I could use with integrity, that my fellow clergy assisting me could use, and that Peter and David felt expressed their love for each other and their commitment to each other."
But the Reverend David Banting claimed Mr Dudley and the couple were in rebellion against the teaching of the church and the guidelines and authority of the bishops and archbishops.But the Reverend David Banting claimed Mr Dudley and the couple were in rebellion against the teaching of the church and the guidelines and authority of the bishops and archbishops.
"There is bound to be consequences. It is very difficult to exercise discipline in the Church of England because things have gone such a long way down this sort of track."There is bound to be consequences. It is very difficult to exercise discipline in the Church of England because things have gone such a long way down this sort of track.
"But yes, I would expect there to be consequences.""But yes, I would expect there to be consequences."
The Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Reverend Henry Orombi, told the Sunday Telegraph: "The leadership tried to deny that this would happen, but now the truth is out.The Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Reverend Henry Orombi, told the Sunday Telegraph: "The leadership tried to deny that 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.""Our respect for the Church of England will erode unless we see a return to traditional teaching."
But liberals in the Church say the Bible should be reinterpreted in line with contemporary experience.But liberals in the Church say the Bible should be reinterpreted in line with contemporary experience.
Under Church of England guidance, gay priests can enter civil partnerships as long as they remain celibate.Under Church of England guidance, gay priests can enter civil partnerships as long as they remain celibate.
Guidance also says that gay couples who ask a priest to bless their partnership must be treated "pastorally and sensitively".Guidance also says that gay couples who ask a priest to bless their partnership must be treated "pastorally and sensitively".