A homosexual Church of England priest has announced plans to "marry" his Nigerian male model boyfriend, who is 40 years his junior.

The pair are due to marry on Oct 9 at the register office in Devizes before holding a service at St John the Baptist Church Photo: SWNSBy Richard Savill
7:34PM BST 20 Aug 2010
The Rev Colin Coward, 64, a priest at St John the Baptist church in Devizes, Wilts, is to enter into a civil partnership with his boyfriend Bobby Egbele, 25.

The union has caused a stir among Christians because the couple plan a carefully-worded "blessing" service in church after the ceremony.

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

Mr Coward, who lives with his boyfriend in Marston, near Devizes, said he hoped his union would set a “visible example” to other homosexuals within the church.

He said: “My goal is for everyone within the church to feel comfortable with the situation because at the moment the majorityof 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.”

Mr Coward discovered he was homosexual when a teenager and he was ordained as a priest in 1978 after giving up his job as an architect.

He openly declared his homosexuality in 1991 before setting up the international gay and lesbian campaign group Changing Attitudes in 1995.

Mr Coward met his boyfriend in 2007 at a Christian conference in Togo, West Africa, and the pair were engaged last year.

Mr Egbele, a fashion designer, whose full name is Bobby Ikekhuame Egbele, grew up in Nigeria and runs an online clothing shop Bobafrique, where he models the clothes.

The pair are due to have a civil partnership ceremony on Oct 9 at the register office in Devizes before holding a service at St John the Baptist Church.

However, the service will be a communion Eucharist rather then a blessing, which is forbidden for homosexual couples.

Mr Coward said: ''Churches are not supposed to bless civil partnerships. It can bless almost anything else; animals, bombs, battleships, armies going to war but gay couples? No.

“So our church blessing has to be carefully-worded in so far as it does not use the word blessing in the context of the two of us in relationship.''

The Bishop of Ramsbury, Rt Rev Stephen David Conway, could ask Mr Coward to remain celibate, a request he plans to refuse.

Under Church of England laws sex is only permitted for married couples and same-sex civil partnerships are not officially regarded as marriage.

Mr Coward said: ''I have big doubts whether he will ask me that because it's a very intrusive question. It's a ridiculous situation and a real mess.

“What we're allowed to do, as a gay couple, is what this all about and certainly those in ordained ministry are not supposed to be sexually active.

“But in practice, some bishops absolutely will give their approval knowing that a couple is in a civil partnership and that they are sharing the same bed, and will encourage them to do that.''

Mr Coward said Mr Egbele was on a two year visitor visa until July next year. The couple have applied to the UK Border Agency for permission to have a civil partnership. That gives Mr Egbele rights of residency. In four years time, Mr Coward said Mr Egbele would be entitled to apply for British Citizenship.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Salisbury confirmed it has permitted allowed the service but described it as ''separate'' from the civil ceremony.

He said: ''A Eucharistic service celebrating friendship is what has been sanctioned in this case. This is entirely separate from any civil partnership ceremony.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/7956186/Homosexual-priest-to-marry-Nigerian-male-model.html

LORD have MERCY!!! Homo priest? What is this world turning into. Homosexuality within the church walls. These are terrible and indeed signs of the end time. What a pity.

they shld just keep it outa Nigeria.

even in nigerian seminary skools. .
Nd boarding skools. . . 2much horror happens dere!
Am nt surprised! I dnt trust all these rev fathers, priests nd their altar boys. .
2 priests in my villa once had a beef. . . All bkus of one guy*s ASSets. . .

pls that is ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
its not catholic church ok.

this is why nigeria anglican
and africa anglican in general has renounce their unity
with church of england

Western world!!!!

its not new now,have u all 4gotten d story of sodom n gomorrah?lets just pray dat God wil not visit d world in his anger.

Even in the Catholic Church, the Rev Fathers don't need wives anymore, same goes for the Sisters, no more secret dash into town to quench burning desires. Now they have their likes to devours in absolute peace without drawing any suspicion. Abeg i no wan laffff

God go punish them

My People This Story No Bi News At All.
I Grew Up In Roman Catholic Parish House, I Don See Satan 'Live'.

How Priests Engage In Homosexual, And Use Church Mothers Popularly Called Ndi Nne Cwo women, And Even Small Small Altar Girls.

My People, Things Are Happening For Our Churches ooo No Exception. The Anglican, Catholics, Pentecostal Pastors Are All Victim. Is Shows That Christ Is Almost Near.

THIS END TIME IF THE CHURCH OF GOD CAN START THIS ANTICHRIST SIN RIGHT INSIDE THE CHURCH,THEN THE END IS HERE,THE BIBLE SAID THE SOUL THAT SINNETH SHALL DIE.

Mr Coward said Mr Egbele was on a two year visitor visa until July next year. The couple have applied to the UK Border Agency for permission to have a civil partnership. That gives Mr Egbele rights of residency. In four years time, Mr Coward said Mr Egbele would be entitled to apply for British Citizenship.

You see our situation. I pity this Nigerian guy.

Omo onile omo olona (born good person) becoming sex tool.

Hssss

life_style:

Western world!!!!

It happens in Nigeria more just that nobody reports it.

Its disgusting

The world is in a turmoil and about to come to an end, that's why things like this are happening, so everything should get ready. Sodom and Gomorrah

does dat boy has a family?cos if he does,then i wuld say dat they aren't responsible.and the worse part is dat d homo boy in qustn is only doin dis 4 d excess money his goin 2 get afta d whole marriage.GEEEZ,i jst pray dat dis sonofabitches does'nt legalise such a crap in 9ja,

Both of them should be hanged and be burnt . What are the knight waiting for?

last days!!!!!!!!!

God Punish Satan!

cant help but smile  
Nigerians are getting bold. . .

ronkebp:

last days!!!!!!!!!

Nothing new here, it has being happening for ages, even in Nigeria, Priest sleep with young boys, i noticed that as far back as 1998 in Enugu, its an open secret.

God Punish Satan!

With that name alone Mr Coward what else can I say. Why didn't he change that name long time ago; so weird

"What shall I give unto The Lord, all I have to say is thank You Lord". GREEN, WHITE, GREEN!

mymadam:

"What shall I give unto The Lord, all I have to say is thank You Lord". GREEN, WHITE, GREEN!

Lets not sound as if Nigerians are not engaging in same-[i]se[/i]x practices , they do and its not hard to find, our press are not good at reporting it, there are plenty of G-a-y and Lebs in Nigeria. Its every where not just in the UK.

Yes, you're right, gays abound all over the world. Nigeria is no exception. Go to boarding schools, both boys & girls. Now, the question is; Is a gay relationship bad because (1) 'Most religions are against it?' (2) 'The 'hygiene involved', you know, the configuration is kinda negative?' (3) 'Is it bad because of our culture?'. Please let us be frank in our responses, maybe we can contribute our quota to the positive development of our great nation, Nigeria! The young ones are watching, listening and looking for leadership. GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

DIS IS OLD NEWS NAH!

mymadam:

Yes, you're right, man-loving-men abound all over the world. Nigeria is no exception. Go to boarding schools, both boys & girls. Now, the question is; Is a man-lover relationship bad because (1) 'Most religions are against it?' (2) 'The 'hygiene involved', you know, the configuration is kinda negative?' (3) 'Is it bad because of our culture?'. Please let us be frank in our responses, maybe we can contribute our quota to the positive development of our great nation, Nigeria! The young ones are watching, listening and looking for leadership. GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

Personally everything is wrong with it, that said, i wouldn't kill people who engage in it, for me . . .its no no no

I swear, God will have to apologize to sodom and gomorrah! Its not an everyday activity, but an "every second" activity! God help us

I swear, God will have to apologize to sodom and gomorrah! Its not an everyday activity, but an "every second" activity! God help us