A retired vicar went against church teachings to marry his Romanian boyfriend last year, who is 55 years his junior.

But since 80-year-old Philip Clements married Florin Marin in April 2017, they separated just five months later.

Clements revealed Marin wouldn’t let him go clubbing with his friends and was always out of the house. He became lonely because he didn’t know the Romanian language or have any friends.

But more than a year on, they’re now back together, according to The Sun.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Florin Marin (@florinmarin1) on Dec 25, 2018 at 5:14pm PST

Clements said: ‘Sometimes we have a little row but underlying it all, I have a deep affection for him.

‘I love him to bits,’ he added. ‘If we were permanently separated, I would be the most unhappy person in the world.’

The pair met on dating site Gaydar and tied the knot soon after. Then the English retired vicar sold his home and moved to Romania to be with his new husband.

But things broke down and Clements became homeless when they split up.

Clements went back to England but said he missed Marin more than anything in the world.

‘It was like losing an arm or a leg,’ Clements said. ‘I knew for certain that I needed him.’

Divorce is not an option

So they got back together, with a few adjustments to the relationship.

They do not live together because Marin is currently working in Spain, so they Whatsapp each other every day to keep the spark alive.

They also now have an open relationship.

Clements said: ‘We have agreed as part of our agreement as an open relationship, if we have a serious relationship, we will tell each other.

‘I would be a little bit jealous I have to admit. That other chap, who doesn’t exist at the moment, is getting more of what I should be enjoying,’ he said.

Marin said: ‘Now it’s much better than in the past.’

He then added: ‘Philip had to change from the beginning to understand more my culture, from where I come from, how I am.

‘Sometimes he doesn’t understand the culture – he’s English, I’m Romanian, I have my manners, he has his manners. We don’t think the same,’ he said.

The retired vicar also revealed the pair’s sex life is better than ever.

‘But we do have a very, very intimate and close relationship,’ he said. ‘At one time, he used to shove me out of the way in the bed.’

He then added: ‘He doesn’t mind me cuddling up to him and enjoying all that tactileness.’

See also:

Church of England bishops face backlash after boycotting trans baptisms

Archbishop: Gay teachers OK if they live far away from their schools

Church of Scotland will draft new same-sex marriage laws