Gay vicar’s relationship blessed by Church in Wales bishop after change in rules

Nov 15, 2021 by

by Sally Guyoncourt, iNews:

A vicar has described the official blessing of his same-sex partnership as a “landmark” moment for the Church in Wales.

Father Lee Taylor and his partner Fabiano Da Silva Duarte are believed to have become the first same-sex couple to be officially blessed by the Church in Wales after the body changed its rules in September.

It is a step that has been welcomed by campaigners, though same-sex marriage within the church continues to be banned.

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, led the service at St Collen’s Church, Llangollen, where Father Taylor is priest-in-charge.

Fr Taylor told the BBC: “This is a landmark and a really big step – a time to rejoice.”

He described Saturday’s service in Denbighshire as “extremely special”, adding: “This [blessing] is a really big step.

“It’s an opportunity to celebrate our love and union in the presence of God. It is exciting – a time to rejoice.”

The Open Table Network, a Christian charity supporting church communities for LGBT people and their allies, said it was moment to rejoice.

Kieran Bohan, Open Table Network co-ordinator, told i: “It is heart-warming to see a bishop embrace a priest whose civil partnership he has just blessed.

“Blessing is a sign of God’s approval, and an affirmation of the love the couple share with one another.

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