jQuery Slider

You are here

Vicar 'refuses to baptise' baby of lesbian couple who both want to be registered

Vicar 'refuses to baptise' baby of lesbian couple who both want to be registered mother
Lesbian couple claim Church of England vicar refused to baptise baby after they both insisted on being registered as the mother

By Josie Ensor
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Sept. 3, 2013

Aimi Leggett, 25, and civil partner Victoria, 22, had planned to have one-year-old son Alfie christened at St Mary's Church, Gosport, Hants, in two weeks.

However, when both women asked to be listed as the mother in a meeting with Reverend George Gebauer he said the church baptism register would not allow it.

He suggested one be registered as the mother while the other be put down as the Godmother instead.

He said he had to be sure the child had not been "pinched" as it was "impossible" that Alfie was a child of both the women.

Aimi and Victoria said they were appalled and stormed out.

Hants, said: "Rev Gebauer sat there and told us no child could have parents of the same sex, no child could have two mothers.

"There was no way one of us was going to be listed as the Godparent. We are both Alfie's mum.

"He did all this for about 10 or 15 minutes and was asking us why we want Alfie brought into the church.

"I'm baptised Church of England, and Victoria is a Catholic. We want him to be brought up the same as we were."

The couple had chosen the church as it is where Aimi - Alfie's biological mother - was baptised and where her parents got married.

They had organised the baptism with Rev Andy Norris, but he had since left. Retired clergy - including Rev Gebauer - are officiating until a replacement is found.

Victoria said: "It's so hard not to be put off by our experience.

"You get told 'yes' you can do it and then it all changes and they completely disregard it."

Rev Gebauer - who has been a vicar for 40 years - said the couple's sexuality was not an issue and he was willing to carry out the baptism if the women agreed to record just one of them as mother.

He said: "We have bent over backwards to try and accommodate this family.

"The couple are not even from our parish, so we could have informed their local church and directed them there instead.

"Their sexuality has no bearing on the issue. It was never discussed. The church baptism register makes no provision for it.

"We can only make sure the child is theirs. For all we know they may have pinched the child.

"We suggested time and again that the natural mum be registered as mum.

"Surely baptising the child is more important than being registered."

However, Ven Gavin Collins, Archdeacon of the Meon, said today he was happy for the christening to go ahead as planned - with both named as the mother.

He said: "Having spoken to Aimi Leggett today, I'm pleased to report that the baptism of Alfie will go ahead on the date planned at St Mary's Church, Warsash.

"We have addressed the legal issue. As I understand it, her partner Victoria has full legal co-parental responsibility for Alfie. We can therefore enter their details onto the baptism register as 'mother' and 'mother', as they would like.

"I'm pleased that this issue has been resolved, and we look forward to welcoming Aimi, Victoria, Alfie and their friends and family. I'm sure it will be a great occasion as we welcome him into the Christian family."

END

Subscribe
Get a bi-weekly summary of Anglican news from around the world.
comments powered by Disqus
Trinity School for Ministry
Go To Top