Chesterfield LGBT+ campaigner condemns Church of England in gay marriage row

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A Chesterfield councillor and campaigner for LGBT+ rights has condemned the Church of England as ‘fundamentally wrong’ for not recognising same sex marriage and called for it to be disestablished from civic ceremonies.

Since being elected to represent Brockwell three years ago, Councillor Ed Fordham has chosen to bow out of Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) events that feature the Anglican Church, such as the Mayor’s Parade and Annual Civic Service, over the religion’s continued unwillingness to perform or bless gay marriages.

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“The C of E is currently exempt from the equality laws that apply to all other institutions and employers in the UK, ” he said, adding this meant the church could ‘ignore the progress being made to enable all couples who love each other to marry’.

“Further, this also empowers the church to bully, sideline and ultimately sack clergy who exercise their legal right to marry,” he continued.

Since being elected to represent Brockwell three years ago, Councillor Ed Fordham has chosen to bow out of Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) events that feature the Anglican Church, such as the Mayor’s Parade and Annual Civic Service, over the religion’s continued unwillingness to perform or bless gay marriages.Since being elected to represent Brockwell three years ago, Councillor Ed Fordham has chosen to bow out of Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) events that feature the Anglican Church, such as the Mayor’s Parade and Annual Civic Service, over the religion’s continued unwillingness to perform or bless gay marriages.
Since being elected to represent Brockwell three years ago, Councillor Ed Fordham has chosen to bow out of Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) events that feature the Anglican Church, such as the Mayor’s Parade and Annual Civic Service, over the religion’s continued unwillingness to perform or bless gay marriages.

“This is fundamentally wrong and needs to change.”

His comments come as the Bishop of Oxford, The Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft has gone on record stating his belief that clergy should be allowed to bless and marry gay couples.

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Coun Fordham, who is actively involved in the Unitarian Church, said the protections C of E enjoys as ‘the established church’ needed to be ‘swept aside’.

“It is time to disestablish the C of E, it is time to reassess the role of the church in the work of CBC and it is time to enable each mayor to choose the location and content of their civic service to reflect their own faith or indeed their secularism,” he continued.

“What is not an option is for the council to support and enable the practise of homophobia through these historical partnerships.

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“It is time to end the hatred and the exclusion and separate church from state.”

A council spokesperson said in response: “Civic services are held at St Mary and All Saints Church because it is the parish church of Chesterfield.

“Most local authorities follow this same principle and use the local parish church for civic services.

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“The mayor selects their own chaplain who can be from any faith and they play a key role in preparing and delivering the service.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached the Diocese of Derby, who declined to comment.

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