Gay Preacher Leaves Church of England to Marry Partner

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Sep 21, 2015

Gay Preacher Leaves Church of England to Marry Partner

An Anglican man involved in ministry in the Church of England has chosen to marry his same-sex partner and to step down from serving in the Church.

Christian Today reports that Jeremy Timm is a lay reader at Howden Minster, East Yorkshire. Timm has an MA in theology and is ordained to preach in the Church of England. He became a Christian while at Leicester University.

Although England and Wales legalized same-sex marriage in March 2014, the Church of England still holds that marriage is between one man and one woman. 

In choosing to marry his partner of 15 years, Timm is forfeiting his position in the Church of England. He said that in August he received an ultimatum from the Archbishop of of York, John Sentamu, telling him that if he married his partner, he was no longer fit for ministry in the Church of England.

According to Christian Today, Timm will marry his partner on Thursday and will join a dispersed Christian community called Contemplative Fire. This community is an “acknowledged community” of the Church of England. 

"I will journey on the faith path with that community," Timm stated.

Timm took part in his final service at Howden Minster on Sunday. The congregation applauded at the announcement of his upcoming wedding. 

Publication date: September 21, 2015



Gay Preacher Leaves Church of England to Marry Partner