The couple has been together for 18 years and knew the church was friendly, because one of the church leaders, a deacon who is openly gay, was accepted by the church community.

Green says the Cathedral is what she calls "an interesting blend of history and tradition, modernity and progression."

Archdeacon and rector of the Cathedral, the Venerable Roger Whelan says the ceremony was a long time coming.

It was announced today that the Episcopal Electoral College for the Diocese of Down and Dromore, meeting in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, has elected a son of the Diocese of Raphoe, Archdeacon David McClay, as the new Bishop of Down and Dromore. He succeeds the Rt Revd Harold Miller who retired at the end of September.

Riesen is a graduate of Indiana University, Fort Wayne (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A.), Luther Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (D.Min.), where his work focused on the dialogue between theology and science. His dissertation, "When Worldviews Collide: The Christian Faith and the New Genetics," explores moral and theological questions raised by new genetic technologies.

The LGBTI+ campaigner also presented Pope Francis with a copy of her autobiography Just Love: A Journey of Self-Acceptance and a brochure of the Ozanne Foundation which claims to work with "religious organisations around the world to eliminate discrimination based on sexuality or gender in order to celebrate the equality and diversity of all."
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