You are here
Evangelical backlash over gay dean
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
THE TELEGRAPH
4/24/2004
Church of England conservatives have called for an urgent meeting with Tony Blair to express their fury at the appointment of the homosexual cleric Dr Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans.
Dr John will continue pressing for the blessing of same-sex unions.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, they expressed their concern that Downing Street was deliberately attempting to steer the Church in a more liberal direction on homosexuality.
The post of dean is in the sole gift of the Prime Minister, although senior churchmen such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, are consulted.
It initially appeared that the appointment of Dr John would be far less controversial than his nomination as Bishop of Reading last summer, but a powerful backlash is now under way. Evangelicals in the diocese of St Albans are considering barring the Bishop, the Rt Rev Herbert, from their parishes because of his support for Dr John.
Anglican Mainstream, an evangelical network representing more than a quarter of the clergy and laity, said in its letter that it wanted to discuss the "insensitive timing" of the appointment with Mr Blair.
Dr Philip Giddings, the convenor of the network, said Dr John had made it clear that he would continue pressing for the blessing of same-sex unions, which is against current Church policy.
END
