Sussex: Vicar has anti-gay ban lifted

A gay vicar in Sussex who was banned from preaching by the Church of England has been told he can now resume work.

Reverend David Page of St Thomas the Martyr in Winchelsea continued to conduct worship at the church after officials denied him permission because of his refusal to say whether his civil partnership was celibate.

He had been allowed by the local parish council to preach despite the Bishop of Lewes blocking him in 2008 when Revered Page refused to clarify the nature of his relationship.

In July of this year, Reverend Page described the ban as “homophobic” and that the line of questioning was “intrusive”.

The church’s parochial church council (PCC) invited him to lead worship again but the Diocese of Chichester took disciplinary action against him.

However on Monday, the diocese said in a statement that the disciplinary matter had reached an “agreeable conclusion”.

The Church of England allows for the ordination of gay priests, so long as they remain celibate.

• TV
• Dec 16 2023

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