Vicar speaks out against gay marriage (From Hereford Times)
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Ledbury vicar speaks out against gay marriage
8:40am Friday 17th August 2012 in Local News
A LEDBURY vicar has spoken out against gay marriage.
Rev Howard Mayell, writing in the latest issue of the Ledbury ministry’s Team Talk parish magazine, said he was concerned about “the nature of marriage”.
His comments come after the Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to legalise gay marriage by 2015.
Rev Mayell said: “Procreation, the perpetuation of the human race, is one of the prime purposes of marriage.
"I believe marriage is, and should be, between a man and a woman.”
However, the leader of one of the county’s largest support groups for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex communities, said marriage should be available to all.
Lynsey Radmore, Herefordshire Rainbow Forum chairman, said: “I would not necessarily expect religious organisations to carry out same-sex ceremonies – that’s a matter for each group to decide themselves.
“Marriage is less about the religious element of it and more about standing up in front of your nearest and dearest and making a commitment to each other.”
