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"Robustly heterosexual since early adolescence, unable to see that any love surpasses the love of women, and once branded by the odious Daily Mail as 'Dud the Stud', I may seem miscast in the role into which I have now been thrust, that of the turbulent rebellious priest who defies bishop and archbishop to bless two gay men, also priests, in their civil partnership."

So begins an article by Martin Dudley, the priest at the centre of the St Barts blessing controversy, as he explains, in The Spectator, why he agreed to officiate at the service. .