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Church of England clergyman is BANNED from conducting services after he married his gay partner of 25 years
Canon Jeremy Davies asked permission to officiate at religious services
He spent 25 years at Sailsbury Cathedral before retiring last year
Following his retirement, Mr Davies married his partner Simon McEnery
Winchester Diocese said the ban against Mr Davies was 'Church policy'
By DARREN BOYLE FOR MAILONLINE
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/
December 12, 2015
A gay Church of England canon has been told he can no longer officiate at any services since he married his male partner of more than 25 years.
Canon Jeremy Davies had contacted the Diocese of Winchester to ask permission to perform services, but when they discovered he had married Simon McEnery, they said no.
Mr Davies had also worked at Sailsbury Cathedral for more than 25 years before his retirement.
Canon Jeremy Davies has been told he can no longer officiate at services because he married his long-term partner opera singer, Simon McEnery last year
Simon McEnery expressed outrage on Facebook after his husband Canon Jeremy Davies was no longer allowed to officiate at Church of England services because he had married a fellow man
Canon Jeremy Davies, left, has been told he can no longer officiate at services because he married his long-term partner opera singer, Simon McEnery, right, last year
Canon Davies worked at Sailsbury Cathedral, pictured, for more than 25 years until his retirement last year
He has since sought permission to perform a small number of ceremonies, but this has now been blocked by church authorities because of his marital status.
His husband, Mr McEnerny expressed his outrage on Facebook: 'So, Jeremy has been banned from taking services in the Winchester Diocese by the Bishop of Winchester, because he's married to me.
'Just in case you'd like to let him know what you think of the C of E's institutional homophobia, he's the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, bishop.tim@winchester.anglican.org. Please share as widely as you wish!
A spokesman for Winchester Diocese told the Mirror that the decision to prevent Mr Davies from preaching was church policy.
He said: 'Canon Jeremy Davies made an application earlier this year for permission to officiate in the Diocese of Winchester.
'Due to the Church of England's position on same sex marriage, as set out in the House of Bishops' Pastoral Guidance, Canon Jeremy Davies has been informed that his application has been unsuccessful.'
According to the Sailsbury Journal, Canon Davies officiated at more than half a dozen services since he got married.
According to the newspaper, Canon Davies has been much in demand across the UK and US since he retired.
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