Gay clergymen appeal for equality in the Church

Twelve same-sex married couples signed an open letter to the Church of England and urged the Anglican leaders to allow gay marriage. The soon-to-be-published letter was authored by a clergyman who married his gay partner.

The clergyman, Rev. Andrew Foreshew-Cain married his partner Stephen last year. The reverend wrote the letter hoping the Church will grant full equality for LGBTs (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender). Foreshew-Cain is part of the Church's governing body, the General Synod.

He told Christian Today, "Long term, the goal is full equality in the Church. At the moment, we recognize some people find that difficult. We would look for a more mixed economy so that parishes that wish to honor and celebrate gay and lesbian marriages can continue to do so."

Half of the clergy couples have already gone public about their marriages and are willing to be named. The other half, however, still wish to remain anonymous so as to keep information on their marriages private.

Foreshew-Cain believes that there are more members of the clergy who have adapted to gay marriages. But leaders of the Anglican church have previously announced that gay clergy should not marry.

"We want to support the bishops in coming up with a proposal that will move the Church on in its response to gay and lesbian people and their marriages," Foreshew-Cain said in the interview with Christian Today.

"Clearly the Church needs to respond. There is a wide consensus that the Church cannot continue its current behavior towards the gay and lesbian community. I would suggest that most of the Church's attitude about homosexuality is ill-informed, cruel and hypocritical. I would suggest that the bishops themselves know it needs to change," he added.

Two years ago, an unusual petition in the form of an open "love letter" was signed by more than 300 Anglican priests and parishioners calling for bishops who are secretly gay to "come out" about their sexuality. The letter was addressed to the Church of England.

A report by The Telegraph said several members of the Church's governing General Synod and 160 priests signed the letter and pledged acceptance of bishops who would decide to go public about being part of the LGBT community.