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Church of England SPLIT could occur over homosexual teachings warns conservative Bishop
A SPLIT in the CofE could occur over differences in opinion on homosexuality ;
Tensions remain in the church about homosexuality
By Dan Falvey
https://www.express.co.uk/
Dec 19, 2017
Appearing on BBC Newsnight Rod Thomas, the Bishop of Maidstone, said that while difference in the role of women in the church could be overcome, he believes there can be no compromise on the church's view on homosexual activity.
His comments come after the Right Reverend Sarah Mullally became the first female to be appointed the church's third most senior role.
The former Chief Nursing Officer, who spent 35 years working in the NHS, will succeed Richard Chartres and become the 133rd person to hold the role.
Speaking on the late night BBC analysis show Bishop Thomas said: "Whereas with women bishops we decided as part of the negotiations that it was not one that ought to cause disunity, it ought to be one where we could agree to disagree, the issue of sexuality is different."
He went on to say: "The Bible's teachings on sexuality seem to be so clear and therefore it becomes a primary and not a secondary issue.
"Because it's a primary issue it's got the capacity to split the church.
"I hope it won't happen, I do hope that, but its done it in the United States so it could conceivably do it here."
Questions about the role of women and homosexuals have bitterly divided the church for a number of years.
Clegg: Relationship between church and state will not change
The rift became clear on BBC Newsnight, where host Evan Davis had to carefully mediate a segment between Bishop Thomas and the homosexual female member of the church's legislative, Jayne Ozanne.
Angry at the point of view put forward by the Maidstone representative, Ms Ozanne said: "What we're hearing is that the Bible is not clear on women and it is clear on sexuality which is absolute rubbish.
"There are people who hold very strong views on both sides who take the Bible as their mandate."
The fierce debate between the church members comes just weeks after guidance from the CofE suggested that children as young as five should not be restricted to dressing in clothes for their gender.
The guidance was sent to all CofE schools and said: "A child may choose the tutu, princess's tiara and heels and/or the fireman's helmet, tool belt and superhero cloak without expectation or comment.
"Childhood has a sacred space for creative self imagining."
The letter, from the Archbishop of Canterbury, also told the schools that they must no longer separate uniforms into 'boys' and 'girls' as they should not force children to wear uniforms that "create difficulty for trans pupils".
In the letter, the Archbishop goes so far as to claim that to make children wear clothes that match their birth sex is "bullying".
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