Sevenoaks church defend controversial sermon

TENSIONS were running high at a Sevenoaks church in the second of a controversial two-part sermon on marriage.

Curate Mark Oden refused to back down after telling wives to be submissive, despite upsetting members of his congregation.

Following a defiant service at St Nicholas Church in Rectory Lane on St Valentine's Day, the Rev Oden claimed he had been "overwhelmed" by support from the congregation, despite admitting his views would be seen by some as "unpalatable".

He sought to redress the balance by saying men should be more considerate toward their wives – from helping around the house to activities in the bedroom.

"We follow biblical teachings and we follow the Bible to the word," said the Rev Oden.

"I did not mean to offend anyone, but the Bible clearly states the word submissive. This does not mean women are any less equal."

Parishioners also responded to the Rev Angus MacLeay, rector and chairman of trustees at ecclesiastical organisation Reform, who does not believe in female bishops or gay priests.

He admitted he was responsible for the re-distribution of a leaflet written four years ago stating women should not teach men and an "acceptable" female role was one of child-bearing.

The rector explained it was part of a wider issue about women and the church.

Parishioner Janet Batchelor, married to her husband Paul for 40 years, said: "Christians believe the Bible is God's word to us, as relevant today as when it was written – and we all need to read it prayerfully to try to discern what this means."