Preparing to marry at the Church of Our Lady, the Lutheran cathedral in Copenhagen, this month, Nigel Rowley had felt nervous that its vast space would feel a little empty. When the doors opened, he saw the pews full of people, including many from his church, St Alban\u2019s, there to support him and Mikel Lindb\u00c3\u00a6k, who is now his husband. He felt \u201cecstatic\u201d\u009d, he said this week.<\/p>\n
Having attended St Alban\u2019s, the Anglican Church in Copenhagen, for 30 years, he decided to get married in the Church of Denmark, where gay marriages have been solemnised since 2012. A member of both the deanery and diocesan synods, he felt that it was \u201cvery important\u201d\u009d that he marry in church, \u201cnot just a blessing, but . . . the full works\u201d\u009d. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Copenhagen, the Rt Revd Peter Skov-Jakobsen, and the choir of St Alban\u2019s sang alongside the cathedral singers.<\/p>\n
There is \u201cno doubt\u201d\u009d in Mr Rowley\u2019s mind that the Church of England should permit same-sex marriage in its churches.<\/p>\n