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Homophobia is rife, says Archbishop
By Chris Hastings
The Telegraph
June 19,2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury has reopened the controversy over gay clergy, claiming that homophobia is rife in Christian circles.
In an interview with Melvyn Bragg, to be screened at noon today on ITV, Rowan Williams says that many of those opposed to the ordination of gay clergy had genuine concern for its possible effect on the institution of marriage. He insists, however, that there is an "awful lot" of "plain prejudice and bigotry".
The comments echo his letter last November to 37 Anglican leaders, urging them to moderate their language on homosexual ordination.
In the latest interview, he also says there is a "significant body of clergy" with "anxieties" over the introduction of women bishops.
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