In London, a popular vicar has defied the Church of England’s gay marriage ban by marrying his partner.
On June 21st, Father Andrew Cain married his partner Stephen Foreshaw. They had been together for fourteen years, and both changed their surnames to Foreshaw-Cain.
Father Foreshaw-Cain publicly showed support for same sex marriage when he hung signs bearing the slogan “Keep calm and support same sex marriage” in two churches, St James in West Hampstead and St Mary of All Souls in Kilburn.
The Church of England does not recognize same sex marriage, with the House of Bishops stating in February that ““It will continue not to be legally possible for two persons of the same sex to marry according to the rites of the Church of England.”
Father Foreshaw-Cain told the Kilburn Times he would marry Foreshaw regardless. ”
“I’ve lived and worked in the Church for 35 years and never have I felt unwelcome,” he said.
“It’s very sad that only now is my sexuality suddenly becoming an issue for some people. The Church wants to promote faithful and stable relationships – the bedrock of our society. Well, I am in a faithful and stable relationship.
“God made me like this. He gave me Stephen and I’m pretty sure he would want me to be happy with him.”
Father Foreshaw-Cain said other members of the clergy and his congregation were very supportive.
The first Church of England clergy member to defy the same sex marriage ban was hospital chaplain Jeremy Pemberton, who consequently had his Permission to Officiate revoked by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham. The House of Bishops banned gay clergy members from marrying earlier this year.
Father Foreshaw-Cain wrote the following in response to the revoking of Pemberton’s Permission to Officiate: ““Shameful news about Jeremy Pemberton’s Bishop. They know their actions are wrong and the CofE is moving and will move. Foolish and wrong.”
Stephen Foreshaw-Cain said: ““The news about Jeremy Pemberton is not what we wanted to read this morning… but they can’t take this away.”
Sophie Joske
Image: Twitter
