Ox Bishop in Gay Bash
The Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, is under fire from evangelical clergy following his appointment of an openly gay minister as Bishop of Reading.
Over 100 clergy met the bishop last week to attempt to force him to reconsider his decision.
Canon Jeffrey John has had a twenty-year homosexual relationship, which he admitted over five years ago, and has spoken widely on acceptance of homosexuality. Last year he contributed to a book of prayers for gay Christians.
However Dr John told the Bishop of Oxford that he had been "sexually abstinent for a considerable time" and will uphold the church's position.
Bishop Harries told his diocesan synod at the weekend that there was "cruel homophobia" within the church and that he had appointed the canon because he had the appropriate qualifications. He said: "I was faced with a clear issue of principle. Jeffrey, I judged, has the gifts for the job."
12th Jun 2003