A Putney vicar has been made an honorary canon of a cathedral in Ghana.

Reverend Giles Fraser, 44, who has been the vicar of St Mary’s Church in Putney Bridge Road for eight years, was an unlikely choice for the role as his pro-gay views clash with the extremely conservative stance of the majority of African churches.

Despite this, Bishop Abraham Kobina Ackah put the issue of homosexuality aside to welcome Rev Fraser into his church in the diocese of Sefi-Wiawso.

“We come from very different parts of the church and think very different things. But we have put our differences behind us to concentrate on more important issues of people in poverty and real need, “ said Rev Fraser.

The vicar, who caused controversy by inviting openly gay bishop Gene Robinson to preach at his church last year, attended a special ceremony in Ghana on Saturday, January 17 to mark the occasion.

“The church itself is in the middle of nowhere. It has no roof, windows or doors. It’s just a pile of concrete blocks. But it was full of people.

“It reminded me of how incredibly different our churches are and how much we have to be grateful for.

“My task now as canon is to be someone who sticks up for them and tries to explain some of the problems they have over here, and to develop an ongoing link with between Sefi-Wiawso and Putney," he added.