The bishop of London has ordered an investigation into the reported church ceremony where two gay priests exchanged rings and vows - a direct violation of Anglican church doctrine.

The Sunday Telegraph reported two priests walked down the aisle on May 31 in a religious service at one of London's oldest churches.

The two priests exchanged rings, read each other poetry, and took part in communion, the paper said.

The bishop, The Right Rev. Richard Chartres, said such services are not authorized by the Church of England. The nation of Britain recognizes civil partnerships, but Church of England doctrine holds that clergy should not bless such unions.

Church insiders believe this wedding-like service will anger the more conservative members of the Anglican Communion.

Church conservatives, who uphold the Bible's teaching against homosexuality, oppose both same-sex partnerships and the ordaining of gay priests.

The issue threatens to further divide the Anglican church. Many churches have already left the denomination and have associated themselves with other similar groups.

The archbishop of Uganda, the Most Rev. Henry Orombi, called the ceremony "blasphemous."

Source: The Associated Press