Rev Tim Codling, Rector of St John the Baptist, Tilbury Docks, in Essex, has said his church has been ‘violated’ by fraudsters targeting it for sham marriages. The diocese has admitted that the problem has become unmanageable. Mr Codling has referred 64 marriages in the past three years to the Police and Immigration Authorities, after becoming suspicious. Once married, non-European nationals can apply for British citizenship. Mr Codling said that he has undoubtedly married bogus couples. On four occasions he interrupted wedding ceremonies and escorted couples from the building. On one occasion he inserted the names of railway stations into the vows to catch out a bride who failed to notice the interpolation. His church may have been targeted because of its good links to Stansted and London City airports. ‘When a couple come with a bishop’s licence you’re in a difficult position. You assume everything is in order.’

Pray:for divine protection for vicars and their families from dangerous criminal gangs orchestrating sham marriages.

More: http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=100313