The first gay “marriage” to be held in an Anglican church has reignited controversy over homosexual clergy and same sex civil partnerships.
The Reverend Peter Cowell and the Rev Dr David Lord exchanged vows at St Bartholomew the Great in the City of London last month.
Church of England guidelines say gay clergy can enter a civil partnership if they provide reassurance that they will abstain from sex.
Couples who ask a priest to bless their union must be dealt with “pastorally and sensitively” on an individual basis.
This is the first time a full ceremony has been held for a same sex couple.
Reverend Martin Dudley, who led the ceremony, said he disagrees with the official guidance.
He added: “I was asked by a friend and colleague to bless their civil partnership. I said ‘of course I will’.