May I Have A Blessing, Please?

From the Guardian:

A gay priest who angered conservative Christians by exchanging rings and vows with his partner in a church ceremony for his civil partnership in London last month has resigned, it emerged last night.

The Rev Dr David Lord, a New Zealander who tied the knot with English clergyman Peter Cowell on May 31, "felt it appropriate to lay down his clergy license", according to a statement released through the Anglican church in New Zealand.

How sad. All the uproar because two men love one another, and made a commitment to each other, and wanted God's blessing on their union.

Much of the anger toward the couple came after details of the service were revealed. Traditionalists were angry that the men were able to enjoy a ceremony almost identical to a traditional church wedding, with readings, hymns, a Eucharist and a version of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer's Solemnization of Marriage.

It's mine, mine, mine! You can't have it!

But the Rev Martin Dudley, who led the service, downplayed the event's political significance.

"I am surprised and disappointed by the fuss. It was a joyful, godly occasion. Why turn it into a controversy? It was not a rally or a demonstration," he said.

Exactly. I gather the ceremony took place last month. Why the fuss now? Did the word just get out? This is not the first ceremony of the sort to take place in England. Surely the Archbishop of Canterbury knew that, but now we all know that he faces similar situations in his own country to those in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. Next time he feels called to chastise the North American churches, perhaps he will think twice and decide against it. Once again, hypocrisy is brought into the light.

Liberals reacted with disappointment to the news of Lord's resignation. The Rev Dr Giles Fraser, vicar of Putney and president of Inclusive Church, a campaign group working for equal rights for gay Christians, said: "This is disgraceful. It's amazing this church cannot celebrate what little love there is in this world. It was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives and they have been turned into outcasts."

Amazing, indeed! The outcome of this battle for the right to celebrate a loving commitment between two people, no matter their sexual orientation, is already known. It remains to be played out, and unfortunately others will be hurt along the way, but there's no turning back.

Thanks to Ann at Of Course I could Be On Vacation for the link to the Guardian story.

UPDATE: From the Dominion Post via Press.Co. NZ News

A Hamilton priest whose gay wedding ceremony has sparked a row between liberal and conservative wings of the Anglican Church has returned to New Zealand without his partner.

But the couple look set to enjoy a proper honeymoon soon amid speculation that they will be reunited in New Zealand within weeks.

The Rev David Lord was yesterday tending patients at Waikato Hospital, where he works as a doctor.

I hope that they were not driven out of England.

Read the rest. Thanks to Mike in Texas for the tip.