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The couple received a blessing from self-styled Catholic
Bishop Pat Buckley at the ceremony in Bangor.
The service, which has no legal status, had been billed as Northern Ireland`s first gay wedding, but Bishop Buckley said he has been carrying out same sex weddings for the past 10 years. The couple, 22-year-old Rory Patterson from Bangor and 20-year-old Darren Nicholl from Belfast, hope that their decision to go ahead with the ceremony will give inspiration to gay people throughout Northern Ireland. Both men were given away by their mothers during the private service in the Marine Court Hotel. Before the ceremony Bishop Buckley answered his critics who had described the wedding as degrading. "First of all I think they are entitled to their opinion, but secondly I would say how many people has homosexuality killed here in the past 30 years compared to how many people bigotry has killed?" he said. "I believe what we are doing here today is perfectly legitimate from God`s point of view and the spiritual point of view and I also think that we live in a century when human rights are very important - so I can`t see why there is the fuss. "Obviously it`s because it`s Northern Ireland." He said the couple were not surprised at the amount of attention their union had created. "They told me as they left various places people said good luck - so I think in the general public there is a fair bit of tolerance and openness," he said. "But when you come to fundamentalist Christians, whether Catholic or Protestant, you are going to get ignorance and bigotry." Church Slamms Gay Wedding.
Controversial Bishop Pat Buckley is to marry two men in Bangor at
3.30pm today. The Free Presbyterian Church has said it is outraged at the
ceremony, which will not be recognised in law.
Reverend Alan Smylie has condemned all those involved in the wedding. However, Bishop Buckley has accused him of discrimination. Return to TBC GLBT International
News http://tampabaycoalition.homestead.com/world.html | |
| On 07/04/01 18:31:51, Big Gay Al from South Park said: | |
Good Luck to them. If that's what makes them happy - go for it. As usual Paisley and his dinosaurs can't see past the end of their bigoted noses - if it isn't Catholics it's Gays, who's next? George Best for drinking ?? Chris Evans for going out with Billie Piper, 16 years his junior? Is he a pervert?? I wonder how many closet gays are in the OO? More than the OO'll admit to anyway, that's for sure - ooh matron !!!!!! | |
| On 07/04/01 18:44:29, robert ritchiefrom coleraine
said: | |
father buckley is a man who lost credability many years ago. he is a creature who thrives on controvery which sadly is overtaken by his ignorance of the very God he claims to serve. the structure of the Catholic church is powerless to act on these matters. Father Buckley is a "free radical" in the moral fabric of Ireland. My overwhelming emotion for Pat is one of pity. | |
| On 08/04/01 23:20:21, won't say said: | |
Congrtulations boys on your wedding. one of the few things to unite both protestant and catholic politics is their rampant homophobia. whilst the Free Presbyterians may be more vociferous the catholic chirch is just as bad and hypocritcal,if not worse (I should know as a catholic myself. Homosexuality was only legalised under direct rule and I wonder how the Assembley would deal with it now it they had to debate it. | |
| On 22/04/01 11:34:06, Bunny Marrsfrom
Newry
said: | |
WEll if this isnt as much fun as you can have in Bangor; then i dont know what is! Good luck boys. Life is too short to stay quiet about what you are proud of! We should all be more tolerant of what makes others happy and more keen to condemn the cruelty of men unto other men. Love and best wishes. Yours in Christ Bunny xxxxx |
| On 07/04/01 13:03:56, Brian said: | |
Is their any truth in the rumour that willie Mcrea junior is the bride? | |
| On 07/04/01 13:24:22, SK from Dublin said: | |
Is there anybody that the 'Free' Presbyterian church doesen't condemn? | |
| On 07/04/01 15:08:02, George Merrittfrom Warrenpoint, Co.
Down said: | |
The marrage of Two Homosexuals 7 Apr 2001: This represents a travesty of the understanding of the sacrament of marrage which exists for the procreation of children and the mutual love,and support of man and woman. Clearly, we must assume God is not included in this decision. It is gratifying, he is no longer a Roman Catholic. | |
| On 07/04/01 15:26:56, Michael said: | |
Of course there is SK, they don't condemn Big Ian, Willie McCrea, Peter & Iris Robinson et al in the DUP for being sectarian bigots.... Oh no they couldn't, that would be hypocritical and two faced, whoops........... I've said too much...... | |
| On 07/04/01 15:34:27, Hugh from USA said: | |
Yes - Loyalist murderers | |
| On 08/04/01 17:07:05, Watching The Board Posters from Norn Iron said: | |
Michael and SK have posted on quite a few of the message boards. What I want to really know is will you two be the next gays to wed seeing as you are joined at the hip? |