Gay cleric 'marries' partner in secret
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
(Filed: 01/08/2006)

The Church of England's most controversial homosexual cleric, the Dean of St Albans, the Very Rev Jeffrey John, has secretly "married" his long-term partner, another Anglican priest.

Dr John, who was forced to stand down as Bishop of Reading in 2003 amid an international outcry, entered into a civil partnership with the Rev Grant Holmes, a hospital chaplain, at a local register office last week.

The event will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners, but it will refuel the bitter row over homosexuality that is threatening to tear apart the worldwide Anglican Church. the rest