Vicar who dressed up in a mini skirt, gold leggings and heels... for 'vicars and tarts party'

A charity  'vicars and tarts' party has sparked outrage amongst church-goers after a clergyman wore a flamboyant  mini-skirt and leggings outfit  for the event.

The Reverend Martin Wray, of St Lawrence the Martyr Church, South Shields, has  been on sick leave for almost three months after some of his parishioners  expressed alarm at his part in the night in August, which aimed to raise funds  for local charities.

What was meant to be a fun-filled affair has divided opinion with some of the  congregation believing the vicar's decision to dress up as a 'tart' had brought  his parish into disrepute after a photograph of Rev Wray at the party, was  published in the local newspaper, the Shields Gazette.

Work's a drag: The Reverend Martin Wray in fancy dress at the controversial fund-raising event and in rather more sober attire for his 'day job'

Reverend Wray was not available for comment directly but a friend, speaking on  his behalf, said his participation had been "blown out of proportion" and  suggested there was a "whiff of homophobia" about the reaction.

Reverend Wray is gay and entered into a civil partnership with his partner in May of this year.

The source said : "He is being pilloried for something that was meant to be just a bit  of fun in support of a good cause. I can't help but think there is some sort of  homophobic undercurrent here, which is very disappointing.

"He just dressed as a tart because he's a vicar, and coming to the party as a  vicar really  wouldn't have made sense.

"It was a very respectable event. There were two former mayors in attendance,  although they weren't dressed up.   

"The money raised on the night was to be divided between the Arts 4 Wellbeing  charity in South Shields and St Lawrence's. 

All in the best possible taste: (l-r) Party organiser Dave Wood, Rev Martin Wray (in gold leggings), Lee Wray and Kerry Lee at The Steamboat pub in South Shields.

Arts 4 Wellbeing is a South Tyneside charity, providing tuition in arts and crafts  for those suffering from mental health problems.

In the end St Lawrence's refused to  accept the money, claiming it was 'tainted'. I think it's a terrible attitude."  

Some churchgoers at St Lawrence's say a photograph of Rev Wray at the party  was "just a trigger" amid other concerns.

One parishioner, who declined to give their name, claimed "Having his photograph taken in the Gazette was something he should  not have allowed to happen, associating St Lawrence's as it did with the event.  

"It was a mistake and he has since admitted it was a mistake. But that incident  was just a trigger. We had other concerns.

"We have not heard from Reverend Wray for some time but the congregation is  sticking together and keeping the church services going. We're not sure what  his intentions for the future are."

The Reverend Stuart Bain, archdeacon for Sunderland, who helps oversee the work  of clergy in the town, said: "Martin took part in a charity event for a good  cause and it's true that some of his parishioners, I'm not sure how many, were  unhappy with his participation.  

"It was clear there was no intention on his part to create upset in any way. It  can happen that parishioners fall out with their clergy for all kinds of  reasons." 

With a shortage of clergymen nationwide, efforts are being made to ensure that  all services and funerals and baptisms are covered at St Lawrence's.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk