Wales: Gay priest and husband receive historic blessing in church – Metro.co.uk
Two gay men thought to be the first same-sex couple to receive a blessing in the Church of Wales have made a little piece of history.
Father Lee Taylor and his civil partner Fabiano da Silva Duarte were able to celebrate their union in a religious context for the first time since they tied the knot in 2008.
The church’s governing body introduced changes to allow blessings for gay couples in September, but stopped short of allowing formal weddings.
The decision puts the church at odds with the Church of England, which still does not offer any services for homosexual couples.
Father Taylor said the service at St Collen’s Church in Llangollen was ‘extremely special’ and ‘a really big step – a time to rejoice’.
He added: ‘Our civil partnership took place at our local registry office in London in 2008.
‘Although this was an important step for us it didn’t really feel like an occasion for great celebration back then.
‘The ceremony was short and no religious content was permitted. It didn’t feel like a solemn and sacred moment.
‘So this blessing is a really big step. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our love and union in the presence of God. It is exciting – a time to rejoice.’
The Bishop of St Asaph the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron conducted the ceremony at the church.
He described it as ‘a great honour and privilege’ to lead the landmark mass, the first of its kind the church is aware of.
Father Lee said the ceremony had the ‘look and smell’ of a traditional wedding but admitted to mixed emotions because full weddings are still not permitted.
He said: ‘We both have a deep faith and love of God and the church has always played an important part in our lives.
‘We are very excited to have made this next step in our journey together.’
‘It has been a very moving and meaningful service for us. It had all the bells and whistles but without the actual marriage part.’
He called on the church to ‘move forward’ with same-sex marriages in church and said: ‘It feels like we are only half way there.’
The Scottish Episcopal Church became the first Anglican church in the UK to allow same-sex marriages in 2017.
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