News
Marriage Equality
2020
Gay Ex-Monk Leaves Church to Wed Boyfriend
A former Benedictine monk in Germany married his boyfriend recently, and the pair expressed hope their public act of commitment would normal the practice and inspire others.According to Reuters, Anselm Bilgri, 68, wed his long-term partner, Markus Achter, 41, on Saturday in the Old Catholic Church, a splinter denomination from the Roman Catholic Church that recognizes marriage equality.Bilgri left the Roman Catholic Church in 2020 after 40 years as a priest and monk.“I immediately thought, ‘now I have actually received all seven sacraments, from ordination to marriage,’” Bilgri told Reuters following the ceremony. “And I would like it [marriage equality] to become normal.