Gay Dean has secret civil partnership

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • August 1, 2006 - 0:00

Under House of Bishops guidelines, the clerics are allowed to enter into a civil partnership because they claim they are not engaging in sexual relations

3 Comments on Gay Dean has secret civil partnership

The Church of England's first openly gay Dean, the Very Rev Jeffrey John, has had a secret civil partnership with another Anglican clergyman, according to reports.

Dr John, currently Dean of St Albans, is rumoured to have had a civil partnership with Reverend Grant Holmes last week.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the couple held a low key ceremony wearing their clerical collars, with a small number of witnesses in the audience.

Under House of Bishops guidelines, the clerics are allowed to enter into a civil partnership because they claim they are not engaging in sexual relations.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, commenting recently on the row over gay clergy, said: "I can envisage, though I don't in the least want to see, a situation in which there may be more divisions than at present."

Share this story with the world These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.