Retired priest marries his male model
A retired vicar has married his male model partner in a small ceremony saying he was a “human first before a priest”.
The Rev Philip Clements, 78, who grew up in Deal, wed Florin Marin, 24, at Ramsgate Registry Office, on Tuesday.
Mr Clements, from Eastry, said: “Is it real? Has it happened? Is it a dream? It’s a special day.”
His new husband, however, said it was just a “normal day”.
Since the couple went public with their engagement in March, they have been calling on the Church of England to change its policy on same sex marriage.
In February 2014, the House of Bishops declared clergy cannot enter same sex marriages.
Civil partnerships are allowed but must remain celibate.
Mr Clements said: “If it expects people, clergy, to live with a same gender partner without intimacy I think there’s something a little bit unsatisfactory about that and it puts a strain on both partners.”
The newlyweds celebrated in Eastry before returning to their new apartment in Romania.