Philip Lovegrove, chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance for over 30 years, and a lay canon of the Cathedral, is among those heading the protest. He said that a delegation of five or six leaders meeting the Bishop next week were likely to begin by pressing him on how he can now be a focus for unity in the diocese after making such a controversial appointment.

He predicted that while there has been much chat about capping parish share an organised campaign was less likely to development. “Big givers will leave the Church of England or put their collection money to other sources,” he said.

The statement by the Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship called the appointment “a serious error of judgement.”

They said: “We are aggrieved that the diocesan bishop, who has also called on people not to take precipitate action, should have agreed to the appointment, thus creating division within the Diocese and the wider Anglican Communion.”

They also repudiated the statements in support of ‘gay unions’ by Canon John and the Bishop of St Albans as “wholly erroneous and contrary to scripture, tradition and reason.”

The open evangelical grouping ‘Fulcrum’ this week supported the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John this week. While questioning the “insensitive timing” and lack of consultation, Fulcrum promised to pray for him as he took up his new ministry. The group said that the appointment of a Dean and Bishop were different matters. “Dr John’s position as a Dean means that those disagreeing with his point of view will not be asked to swear an oath of canonical obedience to him; his role will not be a ‘focus of unity’.”

Fulcrum also welcomed Jeffrey John’s commitment to uphold rather than campaign against the church’s teaching and to live within its guidelines.

END