[Magdalen] Conscience's clause

[Jim Guthrie]

From: ME Michaud

>I have certainly known clergy who refused couples. Usually,
>but not always, because of previous marriages. And in one
>case when the groom showed up very drunk. Stuff happens.

As I've written before (and before Martin joined us), The Rector of Christ 
Church Lynbrook refused to marry my parents, so they held the wedding at a 
Lutheran Church in the next town.

I mattered not to the Rector that my Dad went off to the Army in WWI, and while 
gone, his wife took up with another man and had two children by him, and even 
dumped my sister with his aunt. That he was divorced was enough to refuse -- and 
also tell him he should not present himself for communion.

After we moved to Smithtown the Rector and my Dad became good friends and after 
Dad related why he (and my sisters) never came to church on Communion Sundays, 
the Rector essentially ordered my Dad to present himself for Communion the 
following Sunday!

Cheers,
Jim