Published Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Reverend Thomas Gordon, Dean of Leighlin, who is originally from Portadown, hit the headlines after he and his male partner of 20 years held a civil ceremony in July.
In a statement to the church's Standing Committee, Archbishop of Armagh Alan Harper said:
"The fact that the Very Reverend Thomas Gordon, entered a Civil Partnership on 29 July last has created a new situation for the Church of Ireland.
"In many parts of the Church, the matter is seen as controversial. In such a situation it is important that great care be taken in anything that may be said".
The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland are to begin their discussions over the matter.
However Mr Harper added: "Church of Ireland does not regard a civil partnership as matrimony and that there are no proposals for the provision of rites of blessing for same gender relationships.
"I also wish to say that, as fellow human beings, homosexual people are entitled to be accorded the same respect and dignity as others"
Mr Gordon insists that his civil partnership has the approval of his superiors and his congregation.