Gay dean installed at UK cathedral
truthnewz
By Cahal Milmo
www.independent.co.uk
03 July 2004
Jeffrey John, the gay clergyman whose appointment as an Anglican bishop
was thwarted by evangelicals last year, was yesterday installed as a
cathedral dean amid renewed protests from traditionalists.
More than 2,000 people crowded into St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire,
the shrine of England's first Christian martyr, to witness Dr John take
up his post.
Fears the ceremony would be marred by clashes between anti-fascist
groups and the National Front, which had vowed to march on the
cathedral, receded when the far-right group called off its action at the
last moment.
But conservatives opposed to the move, seen as a victory for Church of
England liberals seeking acceptance of actively homosexual clergy,
continued to voice their disapproval. Dr John, 51, has been in a
relationship with his partner, also an Anglican clergyman, for 28 years.
The theologian, who is widely respected as a doctrinal expert, has said
the relationship has long been chaste.
The Ven Paul Gardner, archdeacon of Exeter and a member of the
traditionalist Anglican Mainstream group, said: "John should not be
given a senior position in the church.
"A resolution approved by the Church of England urged those who have
been involved in homosexual actions to repent, and he does not think
that's necessary."
The installation of Dr John as Dean of St Albans follows his withdrawal
last year from his appointment as Bishop of Reading when the Archbishop
of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, reversed his earlier support.
The worldwide Anglican Communion, which is split on the issue of
homosexuality, is currently waiting for the Lambeth Commission to report
on the doctrinal debate.
But the appointment has led to tensions in the St Albans diocese, with
two parishes withholding their contributions to central funds.
Tom Moore
> But the appointment has led to tensions
> in the St Albans diocese, with two parishes
> withholding their contributions to central
> funds.
Getting a bit difficult to differentiate between the Bishops and the
Queens.
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