TWO vicars in Chard and Ilminster have spoken out in support of gay marriage just days after church representatives voted against a report which called for a ban on same-sex marriage.

The controversial report called for a culture of welcome and support for gay Christians, but said marriage in church should only be between a man and a woman.

The three “houses” all had to agree on the report, but the clergy house voted against it, calling for gay marriage to be allowed in churches.

Rev Sue Tucker from St Mary’s Church in Chard and Rev Nigel Done, vicar of Ilminster and Whitelackington, have both said they agree with allowing gay marriage.

Rev Tucker said: “I would marry a gay couple if I was allowed to and so would have voted against the report and with the majority.

“My reason in a nutshell – in all of our relationships we have the opportunity to give and receive love. Parent, child, brother, sister, friends etc – it is through these we gain a glimpse of how God loves us and we can love him.

“Therefore, I cannot deny a gay couple having that glimpse of God’s love in the way I, and other heterosexual couples, do through marriage.

“I pray that one day I can sit with a gay couple as they prepare to make the most important vows of their life and to hear another glimpse of God through the love they have for one another.”

Rev Done said: “The Church of England likes to be able to see everything from everybody’s viewpoint and this sometimes makes some issues very complicated.

“The General Synod votes by three ‘houses’ which reflect the views of the whole church quite well. The bishops voted towards supporting the report that prevents gay marriage in church... and the laity voted the same way.

“The clergy are the ones who face the pastoral implications of turning away a gay couple and so voted in favour of an inclusive view of gay marriage.

“I feel the lead Jesus gives is for including the minority, breaking down barriers that exclude people who are different and going out of his way to care for those who experience prejudice.

“The inclusive approach seems more helpful than a literal interpretation of the six verses in the Bible which refer to a sexual act between two men.

“The word ‘homosexual’ wasn’t even invented until 1892 so whatever those six texts in the Bible are talking about, it is not what we would understand as a loving, exclusive life-long relationship.”