The two gay vicars whose church marriage blessing plunged the Anglican communion into fresh turmoil over homosexuality have triggered a new controversy which threatens to embroil the Queen.
Rev Peter Cowell is planning a party at Westminster Abbey, where he has conducted services for 10 years, to mark his departure to New Zealand with his partner Rev David Lord.
The couple will use the party to celebrate their civil partnership.
The Daily Telegraph can disclose that Mr Cowell has now tendered his resignation as priest-vicar at the abbey.
He has not conducted any services at the abbey since the furore over his blessing in the 12th century St Bartholomew the Great in the City of London.
But the prospect of a party for the gay vicars in one of Britain's most historic churches, where Kings and Queens have been crowned for centuries, has outraged traditionalists in the church.
Lord Pilkington of Oxenford, a member of Parliament's Ecclesiastical committee, said: "I regard it as remarkably insensitive. It is most unfortunate. They could show some sensitivity to the church."
One senior lay member of the abbey congregation said: "It is an incredibly inflammatory idea so soon after the uproar they caused with their church wedding. It could embarrass the Queen if enough people complain."
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