A 65-year-old vicar has stunned church bosses by announcing plans to 'marry' his 25-year-old Nigerian male model boyfriend.

Gay Reverend Colin Coward, a priest at St John the Baptist church in Devizes, Wiltshire, is entering into a civil partnership with his boyfriend Bobby Egbele.

But the marriage has caused a stir among Christians because the couple plan to receive a 'blessing' service in church after tying the knot.

Rev Coward has also refused to confirm that he will remain celibate following the union, which is a requirement the Church of England asks of its ordained gay clergy.

Today, Rev Coward, who lives with Bobby in Marston, near Devizes, revealed that he hopes his union sets a 'visible example' to other gay people within the church.

He said: 'My goal is for everyone within the church to feel comfortable with the situation because at the moment the majority of gay Christians marry secretly.

'It is a taboo subject but the church is now under huge pressure to change its stance and that pressure will only increase in the future.

Clearly the blessing is going to be quite a sensitive issue. I know that many people will see it and view it with horror.

'But we are both deeply committed Christians so it would be unthinkable for me not to do it in church and not to do it with the congregation and with all of our friends.

'I hope my wedding will inspire others and set a visible example to the church that we are not afraid.'

Reverend Coward realised he was gay as a teenager and was ordained as a priest in 1976 after giving up his job as an architect.

He came out openly as a gay vicar in 1991 before setting up the international gay and lesbian campaign group Changing Attitudes in 1995.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1304674/Gay-vicar-65-marry-Nigerian-male-model-half-age.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0x9BtVnZg

This is unlawful and forbiden by God.

Blueice4re:

This is unlawful and forbiden by God.

the notion of God >> is really becoming old school in light of modern thinking >>> homosexuality has come of age with advances in economy, 'irreligious' ideologies, rationality, evolution, law e.t.c >>> the question of what is lawful & forbidden has changed >>> opposition to gay marriage is a bash on civil right_ actually it is !!! >>>>

so why is a Christian (me) writing such stuff >>> because the fact is gay has come to stay, all i can do is pray in the midst of the fray

my comment on the post >>> such are the times we are living in

and this made the news because?

Wow, love is really blind because Bobby. . .is hurt in the face. Yikes! Anyway, I knew it was only a matter of time before gay couples begin to seek church blessings for their marriages.

What I do find strange is how the CoE allows gay clergy but demands that they remain celibate. Why allow them if you're going to treat them differently than their straight counterparts?

that cant possibly be a model.

spoilt:

that cant possibly be a model.

Girl, you took the words right outta my mouth.

That pimpled face fat boy is a model? Yeah my name is Tyra Banks then

na wa o end time sign may God help us all

it is irritating and diabolical.