csua.org/u/6z8 -> story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&ncid=732&e=10&u=/ap/20040420/ap_on_re_eu/britain_anglicans_gays
Prime Minister Tony Blair news - web sites s office said Queen Elizabeth II news - web sites had approved Canon Jeffrey John as dean of St. The appointment was welcomed by some figures on both sides of the controversy over Johns thwarted nomination to a bishopric last year. John, a gay but celibate clergyman, had been appointed bishop of Reading, but withdrew in July after protests about his sexual orientation even though his declared celibacy conformed to the churchs teaching. Johns nomination triggered protests from conservatives within the Church of England and in the wider Anglican Communion.
Gene Robinson, who has a male partner, as bishop of New Hampshire in the United States. Albans diocese, had signed an open letter opposing Johns nomination as bishop. But on Thursday, he praised John as a gifted preacher and teacher, and said, He also brings a commitment to mission, both within the Cathedral community and beyond, which I welcome warmly, he said. Christopher Herbert, said John has a well-deserved reputation for being a good, caring pastor. He is an intelligent, courageous priest who will follow a long line of superb deans of St. Deans, Herbert said, are not called to be a focus for unity in the diocese. Following the controversy over Johns nomination as bishop, Herbert had written to clergy and lay ministers in the diocese calling for them to repent, and renounce, all forms of bullying. In the guise of a desire to speak the truth, the exercise of power by many on all sides of this debate has not been edifying or helpful, Herbert wrote at the time. Albans drew criticism from one outspoken Church of England conservative, the Rev. Any public endorsement of immorality is an attack on marriage, Holloway said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp. The church is seen with this appointment to be institutionalizing, as it were, what I would call decadence. John said Monday that what matters is that we build a church where everyone really does belong, where everyone is equally welcome. Asked his views on same-sex marriage, John said he has changed his mind on the issue more than once. I support the state and the church offering gay people a framework of living their lives. I hope that ultimately the church will be able to bless that kind of relationship, too.
But he added, I wont be attempting to do anything in the abbey which goes against the canons of the Church of England. Asked whether he received support last year from gays and if he thought he was a figurehead in the gay community, John said he was very reluctant to be seen as some sort of figurehead or icon. Inwood, suffragan bishop of Bedford, later said that John had made clear that he would not be offering same-sex marriages. That is the debate which will unquestionably take place over the coming years. There are other issues which he and I will have a lot in common, the bishop said. Alban the Martyr, was built largely in the 11th century, and was added to in the following centuries.
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