Traditionalists in the Anglican Church have been angered by reports that two gay clergymen have 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.

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The Reverend Peter Cowell and the Reverend Dr David Lord were already civil partners.

The couple are said to have exchanged vows and rings in front of hundreds of guests.

'Erosion of respect'

Anglicans worldwide are split over homosexuality and conservatives have condemned the service as blasphemous.

Critics of say the wording of a traditional wedding expressly defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

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."

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.

Guidance also says that gay couples who ask a priest to bless their partnership must be treated "pastorally and sensitively".

(BBC)

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