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Rev Dr David Lord "lays down his clergy license" over gay marriage
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Gay priest at centre of "marriage" row resigns
"Much of the opposition to the ceremony has come from the African clergy, underlining the rift in the Anglican Church"
The clergyman at the centre of the weekend's turbulence in the Church of England over gay "marriage" has decided to resign. The Reverend Dr David Lord felt it was appropriate to "lay down his clergy license" in the wake of a weekend of uproar over the ceremony where he "tied the knot" with his partner, clergyman Peter Cowell.
The ceremony, which took place on 31st May at St. Bartholomew the Great Church in the City of London, upset traditionalists by mirroring many aspects of straight marriage ceremonies, including as it did prayers, hymns and readings. The Bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres stressed that services of public blessing for Civil Partnerships were not authorised in the Church of England and has asked for a full investigation.
Much of the opposition to the ceremony has come from the African clergy, underlining the rift between the progressive forces of the UK and the cmore onservative foreign Anglicans, a rift that the current Archbishop of Canterbury is trying to straddle by clamping down on the liberal European and American clergy.
"I am surprised and disappointed at the fuss," said the Rev Martin Dudley who led the service and who is almost untouchable in his own church. "It was a joyful, godly occasion. Why turn it into a controversy? It was not a rally or a demonstration. Nor is it the first time there have been prayers, hymns or readings following a civil partnership. We should not allow the cultural position of bishops from other countries to affect our response to the very large number of gay people and gay clergy in the Church of England."
