Adelaide female Anglican priest barred from practising because of marriage to woman

SYDNEY (NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA)
ABC

October 4, 2020

By Ben Nielsen

An Adelaide-based Anglican priest has accused the church of discrimination after she was refused permission to say mass and celebrate sacraments because of her marriage to another woman.

Sorel Coward sought approval from Archbishop of Adelaide Geoffrey Smith last year, but she said he had since denied her permission to officiate.

“All I wanted was the ability to be able to say mass, to celebrate the sacraments of the church, to bless those in their last hours of their life, in a little church in Adelaide, and nothing more,” she said.

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Priest committed to marriage

The Anglican Church in Australia does not recognise same-sex relationships.

“My wife and I have been happily married for 28 years,” Sorel Coward said.

“I’m not going to have my marriage or my orders put into question.

“Absolutely nothing has changed and yet I’m being treated like a clergyperson who’s been engaged in child sexual abuse.”

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