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Reverend David Hull, a chaplain at a private school created by the founder of the Methodist church stood down after suggesting that gay people should stay single. After Hull made those remarks, he said there were “unhelpful tensions” at Kingswood school in Bath, England and he decided to step aside.

As the Guardian reports, Hull’s comments came in July after the Methodist church conference – its governing body – passed a motion supporting the idea in principle of allowing ministers to conduct same-sex weddings on their premises.

Hull, who is chair of the Methodist Evangelicals Together group, told the Christian media organization Premier he was saddened by the decision.

He said: “As Methodist Evangelicals Together, we are very clear that the good news is for all. We believe that as part of that good news, God’s plan for creation is either that we are married as one man and one woman for life, or that we are single and celibate just as Jesus was and both of those ways of living are absolutely good news and part of God’s good news. To move away from that is to move away from the good news.”

In a letter to Kingswood parents and other members of the school community, Hull wrote: “Since the summer, comments I made in the context of an internal debate within the Methodist Church have been circulated amongst the student, staff and parent bodies, bringing unhelpful tensions into the school community.

“Whilst there has been no suggestion from church or school of any wrongdoing in making the comments, and the recognition that the views I have expressed are in line with the current position of the church and will continue to be affirmed by the church, the situation, nevertheless, needs to be resolved.

“I have therefore requested from the church an immediate curtailment of my appointment as chaplain to Kingswood School, which has subsequently been granted.

“I have been very grateful for the opportunity to serve the Kingswood School as its chaplain, wish the school well as it continues its mission of education and look forward to continuing to serve the Methodist Church in ministry.”

A spokesperson for the Methodist church said: “After sharing differing views from across the church, the Methodist Conference commended the report, God in Love Unites Us, for study and prayerful discussion across the church. Resources have been prepared to equip this process and the conference will consider the responses at its meeting in 2020.”