Clergyman who 'married' same-sex partner barred from taking services

The Bishop of Winchester has refused to licence a clergyman who defied biblical teaching and ‘married’ his same-sex partner.

The Church of England opposed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act and, weeks before it came into force last year, the House of Bishops issued pastoral guidance, declaring same-sex ‘marriage’ incompatible with being a Church of England minister.

Jeremy Davies, however, proceeded to ‘marry’ his same-sex partner, Simon McEnery, in direct defiance of biblical teaching and the Bishops’ position.

Following his retirement as Canon Precentor of Salisbury Cathedral in 2011, Mr Davies continued to take services, on an occasional basis, in both Salisbury and Winchester dioceses.

After his ‘marriage’ last year, the clergyman wrote to the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, seeking permission to officiate.

But last week he was informed that his application had been rejected.

A spokesperson for the diocese confirmed:

“Canon Jeremy Davies made an application earlier this year for permission to officiate in the Diocese of Winchester.

“Due to the Church of England’s position on same sex marriage, as set out in the House of Bishops’ Pastoral Guidance, Canon Jeremy Davies has been informed that his application has been unsuccessful.”

In neighbouring Salisbury diocese, however, it appears that Mr Davies is continuing to take services, raising concerns that some dioceses are taking a more liberal approach and undermining the position adopted by the House of Bishops.

Mr Davies’ behaviour has similarities to that of Canon Jeremy Pemberton, who was disqualified for a position at a hospital chaplaincy, because he had ‘married’ his same-sex partner Laurence Cunnington.

Canon Pemberton claimed discrimination, but in November of this year, an employment tribunal ruled the Church was free to apply its teaching on marriage. The tribunal further said there was “no doubt whatsoever that the present doctrine of the church is clear”.