party has retired from the Church.
The Reverend Martin Wray left his position at St Lawrence the Martyr Church in Horsley Hill, South Shields, after being on sick leave for several months following his part in the charity bash.
The 59-year-old was photographed at the “vicars and tarts” party wearing a mini-skirt, gold leggings and high heels at the town’s Steamboat pub on the Mill Dam in August last year. What was meant to be a fun event though caused a stir at the church, with some of the congregation believing the published photograph of the vicar as a ‘tart’ brought his parish into disrepute. But friends of Mr Wray, who entered into a gay partnership last May and who continues to live in the town, said the whole episode had ‘a whiff of homophobia’ about it. A member of the congregation, who refused to be named, told the Shield’s Gazette: “I can’t help but think there is some sort of homophobic undercurrent here, which is very disappointing.
“He just dressed as a tart because he’s a vicar, and coming to the party as a vicar really wouldn’t have made sense.”
Some of his congregation took offence at his participation in the event, claiming it reflected badly on the church and its members.
He was not available for comment, but a friend said: “Yes, he has retired. He’s looking forward to a long and happy retirement.”
Speaking soon after the row erupted, one member of the congregation said: “Having his photograph taken and published in the papers was something he should not have allowed to happen, associating St Lawrence’s as it did with the event.
“It was a mistake and he has since admitted it was a mistake. But that incident was just a trigger. We had other concerns.”
The money raised at the event was intended to be shared between St Lawrence’s and South Tyneside mental health charity Arts 4 Wellbeing.
But the hierarchy at St Lawrence’s later declined to accept its share, which ran into hundreds of pounds.
A friend of The Rev Wray, said: “In the end, St Lawrence’s refused to accept the money, claiming it was ‘tainted’. I think it’s a terrible attitude.”
A statement from the office of the Bishop of Jarrow, the Rev Mark Bryant, confirmed Mr Wray has ‘resigned and retired’ as vicar of Horsley Hill St Lawrence. The Rev Stuart Bain, archdeacon for South Tyneside and Sunderland, who helps oversee the work of clergy in the borough, said: “Martin took part in a charity event for a good cause and it’s true that some of his parishioners – I’m not sure how many – were unhappy with his participation. – Daily Mail.

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