Church of England denies ‘blacklisting’ clergy who marry same-sex partners
The Church of England has denied that it is keeping a secret blacklist of clergy who have married their same-sex partners.
TheĀ House of BishopsĀ banned gay clergy from marryingĀ earlier this year,but to date the ban has been publicly flouted by at least two members of the clergy.
Hospital chaplain Jeremy Pemberton married his partnerĀ Laurence Cunnington in April, while last week London vicar Andrew Cain married Steve Foreshaw.
No publicĀ action has been taken against either on behalf of the Church as a whole, but last week it emerged that Pemberton’s Permission to Officiate has been revoked by theĀ Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham,Ā Richard Inwood.
The church has now denied reports that the Bishop ofĀ Norwich, Graham James, has been maintaining a blacklist of all gay clergy who have married, in order to block them from future positions.
A statement from the church said: “The recent press report that the Bishop of Norwich has been asked to keep a blacklist of clergy who marry same sex partners is untrue.
“The House of Bishops agreed in February to establish a small informal monitoring and reference group which is available to diocesan bishops who may wish for information or advice. The group has no formal powers.
“The Archbishops of Canterbury and York asked the Bishop of Norwich to chair the group and for the Bishops of Sheffield and Willesden to be members.”
