US Methodist church performs gay wedding in act of 'civil disobedience'

Jim Wilborne and John Romano were married on Saturday in North Carolina. Credit: Reconciling Ministries Network

A bishop and a pastor have defied the rules of the United Methodist Church (UMC) by marrying two gay men in North Carolina.

Jim Wilborne and John Romano, both 52, were married in their home town of Charlotte on Saturday.

They kept the wedding plans under wraps to stop "people having time to organise a protest" and hired security guards to keep protesters out of the venue. Wilborne has been attending the church for over 20 years.

Pastor Val Rosenquist and Bishop Melvin Talbert agreed to officiate the marriage knowing they risked being defrocked by the UMC.

The ceremony comes weeks before proposals to repeal a ban on clergy performing same-sex wedding are considered by the church.

Bishop Talbert has a long history of activism and was arrested alongside Martin Luther King Jr in the Atlanta sit-ins in 1960. More recently, he caused outrage in the United Reform Church when he agreed to officiate a gay wedding in Alabama.

The complaint against him was resolved on condition that he follow the Book of Discipline required by the church.

Speaking before the wedding, he told Buzzfeed News the church's anti-gay policies "are immoral, unjust, and oppressive, and they no longer deserve our loyalty and support."

Bishop Talbert has a long history of activism being arrested alongside Martin Luther King Jr in Atlanta in 1960. Credit: Reconciling Ministries Network

He described the service as "civil disobedience" as he acknowledged the risk of being removed as a bishop as a result.

Pastor Rasenquist added, "It's time to make a stand. I am willing to face whatever consequences I encounter. I am totally at peace with this decision."

The United Methodist Church (UMC) is the largest mainstream Protestant denomination with an estimated 7 million members.

It is yet to repeal a ban on its clergy performing same-sex marriages - proposals for which will be considered at the General Conference in May.

There was also strong criticism earlier this month when North Carolina introduced state legislation permitting religious groups and business owners to refuse service to gay couples and a ban on transgender people using public restrooms that do not match their sex at birth.