Former Conservative chairman, Lord Fowler, has urged the Government to stop the Church of England from disciplining vicars who 'marry' their same-sex partners.
Lord Fowler raised the case in the House of Lords of Jeremy Pemberton, who had his licence to preach revoked after becoming the first CofE clergyman to defy the church’s ban on gay clerics 'marrying'.
He said: “Given that there are other clergymen at similar risk, will the minister as a matter of good will look at the position here and see if there is anything that could be done to help reconcile the difficulties?"
The Right Revd Richard Inwood, acting Bishop for Southwell and Nottingham which includes Mr Pemberton’s Lincoln parish, made it clear that same-sex marriage was clearly at variance with the teaching of the Church of England. Diocesan officials told Mr Pemberton that clergy must “model the Church’s teaching”.
Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said: “Lord Fowler doesn’t recognise the seriousness of what he’s suggesting – that a priest who doesn’t practice what the church preaches should be allowed to continue. The Church of England has the authority to discipline clergy who defy its teaching which is very clear on marriage – that it is a life-long union between one man and one woman. It’s not the place of the Government to interfere in doctrinal matters and internal church discipline. Open defiance of the Church’s teaching, and more importantly, the authority of the Bible on the meaning of marriage, must be dealt with conspicuously or the teaching itself becomes meaningless and open to ridicule. To say one thing and behave entirely differently is tantamount to saying we don’t really mean what we say."
Please write to Lord Fowler at contactholmember@parliament.uk indicating your concern about his call for Government interference in the disciplinary process of the Church of England. Please mark your message for the attention of The Rt Hon. The Lord Fowler.
