London: Gay vicar defies Church to marry same-sex partner
A popular London vicar has married his same-sex partner, in defiance of the Church of England’s gay marriage ban.
Father Andrew Cain, of St Mary’s with All Souls in Kilburn, tied the knot yesterday with partner of 14 years, Steve Foreshaw.
The vicar, who put up “Keep calm and support equal marriage” signs in two of his churches in January, had previously expressed his intention to press ahead with the wedding, despite the Church’s ban.
He follows hospital chaplain Jeremy Pemberton, who was the first member of the clergy to defy the ban and marry his same-sex partner.
The House of Bishops banned gay clergy from marrying earlier this year, and earlier today Pemberton’s Permission to Officiate was revoked by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham.
The couple, now Foreshaw-Cain, posted pictures from the wedding, writing “We. Are. Married.”
We. Are. Married. pic.twitter.com/tS30x41k9I
— Steve Foreshew-Cain (@s_foreshew) June 21, 2014
Bound in platinum. pic.twitter.com/8w4ct9JUlu — Andrew Foreshew-Cain (@churchnw6) June 21, 2014
Reacting to the news about Jeremby Pemberton, Father Foreshaw-Cain wrote: “Shameful news about Jeremy Pemberton’s Bishop. They know their actions are wrong and the CofE is moving and will move. Foolish and wrong.”
Steve Foreshaw-Cain added: “The news about Jeremy Pemberton is not what we wanted to read this morning… but they can’t take this away.”
