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My friend Michael Peet, who has died of cancer aged 66, was for 22 years the incumbent of linked churches in the Bow area of east London – Holy Trinity, Mile End and St Mary's, Bow. In the early years of his ministry, feeling that there was a conflict between his sexuality and the church's expectations, he left briefly to become a teacher, but soon reverted to his true calling.
He was born at Brocket Hall, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (which had been turned into a maternity hospital for the duration of the second world war) and went to Wilson's grammar school in Camberwell, south-east London. He studied theology at King's College London and was ordained a priest in 1969. His first appointments were as a curate in parishes in south and east London.
His obvious organisational skills and disarmingly warm personality led to his being offered livings that posed a challenge; Michael completely revitalised a dying church, and later redesigned the interior of an old church to accommodate a variety of activities. Eventually he oversaw the amalgamation of the two church congregations, to form the parish of St Mary and Holy Trinity, Bow, which, in other hands, could have led to problems.
This year sees the 700th anniversary of the institution of Bow Church, and Michael took pride in organising the celebrations. It is sad that he will not be part of them.
With his profound belief in the inclusive nature of Christianity, Michael became a founder member of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, and he was an early supporter of the Movement for the Ordination of Women. These were issues over which he felt passionate, and he spent a great deal of energy in campaigning.
His 36-year-partnership with Raymond Port, who survives him, was legalised in 2007 amid great celebrations in the parish.
