News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Andrew-Foreshew-Cain-main_article_image.jpg
Andrew Foreshew-Cain/Facebook
UK News

First priest to defy Church on gay marriage elected to General Synod

by Antony Bushfield

Revd Andrew Foreshew-Cain said he was "feeling daunted, elated and ready", after the results for the Diocese of London were announced.

He was the first serving vicar to reject the Church's rules and marry his same sex partner in 2014, after the House of Bishops ordered Anglican clergy in England not to enter gay marriages.

At the time officials said it would not be "appropriate conduct".

In a tweet announcing his election he said there was "hope for a kinder more compassionate Church".

Revd Foreshew-Cain is the vicar at St Mary with All Souls church in Kilburn, and St James in West Hampstead.

The General Synod is generally considered the parliament of the Church of England.

It makes major decisions within the Church, including, recently, allowing women to become bishops.

Other dioceses will announce their members of the Synod later in the year.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern and a member of the Church of England's General Synod 2010 - 2015, said: "Last year, Andrew Cain ignored biblical teaching and the clear instruction of the House of Bishops and entered into a same-sex marriage.

"Andrew Cain's ongoing activism should no longer be tolerated. His actions are designed to undermine the Church and her teaching on marriage. His election to General Synod cannot be allowed to stand and he should be swiftly removed from church leadership."

Meanwhile, Canon Jeremy Pemberton, another priest who entered a gay marriage, was unsuccessful in his bid to be elected in the Diocese of Lincoln.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate