Gay Clergyman 'Weds' Partner

UNITED KINGDOM - A senior clergymen tied the knot with his long-term partner.
Precentor of Salisbury Cathedral Canon Jeremy Davies "wed" boyfriend of 18 years, opera singer Simon McEnery, in a ceremony at Trafalgar House outside Salisbury in Wiltshire watched by 120 friends and family.
The celebrations were attended by Salisbury's Bishop, the Rt Rev David Stancliffe, and Dean, the Very Rev June Osborne and coincided with Canon Davies' 60th birthday.
There was none of the controversy that surrounded the nuptials of Darlington vicar the Rev Christopher Wardale and a retired university lecturer, who went against his bishop's instructions and had the union blessed in a local church.
"This was a civil partnership ceremony and there was no religious involvement," a Salisbury diocese spokesman said.
"It followed exactly the legal requirements and the guidelines of the Church of England."
The Church of England guidelines were drawn up by the House of Bishops in July and allow same-sex unions provided they are not equated with marriage by formal religious blessings.
Bishop David and The Very Rev Osborne did not attend the partnership service itself, which was conducted by the civil partnership registrar for Wiltshire, but joined the festivities afterwards.
A spokesman said that a large number of the couples' friends watched the service. He said: "The room was packed with 120 family and friends who celebrated with a stunning sequence of music and readings performed and read by close friends and colleagues."
In a statement released through the Salisbury diocese, the couple said they were looking forward to the additional security the union would give them, and were "proud" to be among the first same-sex couples taking the step.
from This Is London