A vicar who rejected biblical teaching and defied the House of Bishops by 'marrying' his same-sex partner has been elected to the Church of England's General Synod.
Andrew Cain entered into a same-sex 'marriage' last year, just months after the bishops explicitly forbade clergy from taking such action.
Announcing his election to General Synod, Mr Cain tweeted: “Feeling daunted, elated & ready. NO SURRENDER.”
Christian Concern’s chief executive, Andrea Williams, who was also elected to serve on General Synod, has condemned Mr Cain’s ongoing efforts to “undermine the Church and her teaching on marriage” and called for him to be “swiftly removed from church leadership.”
Mr Cain, who is a vicar in the Kilburn and West Hampstead areas of London, ‘married’ his atheist partner Stephen Foreshew in the middle of last year, in full knowledge of the bishops’ position.
The House of Bishops’ statement, released in February 2014, read: “It would not be appropriate conduct for someone in holy orders to enter into a same sex marriage, given the need for clergy to model the Church's teaching in their lives.”
The vicar has reportedly received an “informal rebuke” from his bishop for his behaviour, but no public action has been taken against him.
Mr Cain has previously said that he is aware of at least five Church of England clergy who have ‘married’ their same-sex partners, but have not been open about it for fear of the Church’s reaction. He has accused the Church of being “guilty of terrible dishonesty.”
But Andrea Williams says that it is Mr Cain’s position that lacks integrity:
"Last year, Andrew Cain ignored biblical teaching and the clear instruction of the House of Bishops and entered into a same-sex 'marriage'.
“Andrew Cain’s ongoing activism should no longer be tolerated. His actions are designed to undermine the Church and her teaching on marriage. His election to General Synod cannot be allowed to stand and he should be swiftly removed from church leadership.
“If he is not prepared to live according to the pattern of life that God has set out in the Bible and that the bishops have reiterated, how can he continue as a church leader, let alone sit on General Synod?
“If he cannot accept God’s authority, he should resign. Failing that, he should be removed from office. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue.”
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Related coverage:
Married gay priest elected to Church of England Synod (Telegraph)
Britain’s only openly married gay vicar elected to Church of England Synod (Guardian)
House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage (Church of England)
Britain’s only openly married gay vicar elected to Church of England Synod (Guardian)
House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage (Church of England)