Peter Mullen

The Rev'd Peter Mullen (born 11 January 1942) is the Anglican chaplain to the London Stock Exchange, and current Rector of St Michael, Cornhill and St Sepulchre-without-Newgate in the City of London.

Life and career

He was ordained into the Church of England in 1970. He became Chaplain and Head of RE Whitecroft School, Bolton in 1974. In 1977 he became Vicar of Tockwith and Bilton-in-Ainsty with Bickerton, Diocese of York, remaining there until 1989.

Mullen was censured in 1989 by the Church for committing adultery with a parishioner, and resigned from his parish in Yorkshire.Vardy, Peter (1999). "The Puzzle of Sex". Fount, ISBN 9780006280422] He returned to ministry as a priest in 1997. Mullen was granted Permission to Officiate, York 1989-98. He became Rector of St Michael's Cornhill & St Sepulchre-without-Newgate and Chaplain to the Stock Exchange in 1998.

Mullen has been criticisedHale, Beth (October 7, 2008). [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1069603/Gay-men-forced-health-warning-tattoos-says-Stock-Exchange-chaplain.html Gay men should be forced to have 'health warning' tattoos, says Stock Exchange chaplain.] "The Daily Mail"] for his remarks on homosexuality. Writing on his online blog, he stated that gay men should carry "health warnings", for instance "Sodomy may seriously damage your health". He later claimed the comments were 'satirical', stating that he has gay friends. Nevertheless, a spokesman for the Diocese of London has distanced the diocese from Mullen's claims, and by mutual agreement the comments are to be removed from the blogStaff report (October 6, 2008). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7655585.stm Tattoo gay men, clergyman writes.] "BBC News"] . He later apologized.Staff report (7 October 2008). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7656714.stm Priest 'sorry' for gay comments.] "BBC News"] Mullen has also called for gay pride parades to be banned, describing them as "obscene." Gledhill, Ruth (October 7, 2008). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4899122.ece Chaplain's blog calls for homosexuals to be tatooed.] "The Times"]

He has also mocked Muslims, saying there would be an "agreeable carnage" at the start of the annual Hajj in Mecca: "They usually manage to stampede and slaughter quite a few hundred of their co-religionists. Just imagine for a moment what a field day the BBC and the leftwing press in England would have if anything even remotely as bad as that happened in Vatican Square at Christmas or Easter." He added that Muslims "lend themselves to ridicule: sticking their arses in the air five times a day. How about a few little choruses, 'Randy Muslims when they die/Find 70 virgins in the sky'?"

Mullen is a frequent contributor to the "Wall Street Journal".Mullen, Peter (December 23, 1998). [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB914364442892258500.html?mod=googlewsj Christianity Without God.] "Wall Street Journal"] Mullen, Peter (October 14, 1999). [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB939854342964950836.html?mod=googlewsj Choosing Adoption Isn't On the Pro-Choice Agenda.] "Wall Street Journal"] Mullen, Peter (September 16, 1999). [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB937438325446923941.html?mod=googlewsj Crusading For Moral Ambiguity.] "Wall Street Journal"]

References

External links

* [http://www.waterconservators.org/chaplain.html Peter Mullen profile] via the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators