Last week, the CEN published this feature article by Colin Russell:
St Albans - A Worm’s Eye View
This week, the CEN publishes a news story:
Evangelicals to shun Bishop of St Albans
As is customary when Nick Bell is involved, absolutely no names or even verifiable numbers are provided in support of any claim. I personally saw many evangelical clergy at the installation service though no doubt a few were absent.
Andrew Carey the author of that story now has his own blog here which contains his CEN column for the week that also discusses St Albans: The Church of England breaks trust.
And over at AM, one finds explicitly anonymous attacks like this one.
When dealing with Philip Giddings this is what one expects. He was after all responsible for the outright lies contained in the AM petition.
On Monday, the Guardian carried a leader about the Dean of St Albans under this title.
The concluding paragraph says:
Dr John’s beliefs are reasonable, moderate, and right. To ask whether a good Christian can believe what he does is like asking whether the archbishop is an Anglican. But this is precisely the point that his opponents are trying to make. They don’t just think he’s wrong. They think that the church will be destroyed if it admits the possibility that he might be right. What they are trying to do is to put the matter beyond debate, and their chosen weapon may yet destroy the Church of England altogether. The institution is lumbering towards bankruptcy, and sustained entirely by voluntary contributions. Evangelical threats to withhold money from liberal bishops and their organisations will be popular. If enough take up this tactic, they will one day look around a wasteland and say that there is no such thing as a church: only individuals and their parishes.
Jane Little of the BBC reported for the Radio 4 Sunday programme on the Dean’s installation service last Friday and then interviewed Anthony Archer, Colin Slee and Philip Giddings about the process for appointment of deans. Listen here with Real Audio (7.5 minutes).
This report includes the remarks made by Jeffrey John during the service.
The editor of the Church Times, Paul Handley, attended yesterday’s service and has written a detailed account of it for the CT website, headlined Jeffrey John and the egg
THERE WAS an egg lying smashed on the road beyond the west front of St Albans Abbey. For a journalist hurrying late to the installation of the Dr Jeffrey John, England’s first openly gay dean, it was worrying. What had I missed?
Ruth Gledhill in The Times reports Gay dean calls for return to ‘normal service’.
THE new Dean of St Albans pleaded last night for “normal Christian service” in the Church of England to be resumed as soon as possible.
In an unscheduled intervention during his installation at the cathedral, after the 2,000-strong congregation had given him a two-minute standing ovation, Dr Jeffrey John said: “I want to say how grateful I am for the overwhelming warmth of your welcome and strength of support of all of you.”
In his first words after his installation by the Bishop of St Albans, the Right Rev Christopher Herbert, Dr John said: “Over the last year or so I have sometimes hardly recognised myself in some of the things that have been said about me. So, I would like to say what a huge privilege and joy it is for me to be here. This is where God hopes and intends me to be and this is now home for me. I hope that from this point on, normal Christian service can be resumed in my life and in the life of this place. ”
Stewart Payne in the Telegraph Gay dean is installed - to praise not protest
Applause, not protest, greeted the appointment of the homosexual cleric Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans last night as his bishop praised his bravery “on this great and courageous and hope-filled day”.
There was only muted dissent outside the Hertfordshire cathedral and none within.
Stephen Bates in the Guardian Gay cleric in bishop row takes up role of dean
Outside the cathedral a sole demonstrator bearing a banner railing about sodomites found himself surrounded by schoolboys asking him what the word meant.
Anglican Mainstream, a conservative pressure group, announced its “deep regret” about the appointment and the damage the group claimed it would inflict. “Parishes and ministers who cannot accept this deviation from orthodox Anglican teaching will sadly now need to consider the extent to which they can involve themselves in the structures of the diocese,” the group announced.
Such sentiments appeared to cut little ice among the multitude inside the cathedral as they sang such anthems as All Creatures of Our God and King, with its lines: “All ye that are of tender heart, forgiving others, take your part”.
The congregation represented a cross-section of modern Anglicanism: respectable, middle-class and middle-aged, verging towards the elderly. The very folk usually said to be least responsive to homosexuals in their midst.
One of the lesser ironies is that Dr John will now be entitled to call himself not just Reverend but Very Reverend.
Cahal Milmo in the Independent Gay dean installed at St Albans amid protests by conservatives
More than 2,000 people crowded into St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire, the shrine of England’s first Christian martyr, to witness Dr John take up his post.
Fears the ceremony would be marred by clashes between anti-fascist groups and the National Front, which had vowed to march on the cathedral, receded when the far-right group called off its action at the last moment.
Andrew Barrow Press Association Anglicans Asked to ‘Put Differences Aside’ (minor revision of earlier report)
The opinions of the “conservative pressure group” can be read in full here.
Here is the sermon that was preached by the Bishop.
Reports on the installation of Jeffrey John as Dean and Rector of St Albans today:
Press Association Anglicans Asked to ‘Put Differences Aside’
BBC Three Counties Gay cleric installed as Dean of St Albans
Don’t miss the Photo Gallery on this page
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Update
Here also from BBC Three Counties is a 12 minute radio report of the service, Real Audio required.
And from the St Albans Observer another large photo gallery of the service that has many pictures taken from the West Gallery and from the Organ Loft.
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BBC Gay cleric installed at St Albans and Backlash over gay cleric move
Sky News Gay dean installed
Reuters Gay priest installed as Dean
Associated Press Gay Clergyman Appointed Cathedral Dean
ITV Gay priest installed in St Albans
Guardian Gay cleric installed amid protests
More no doubt in the Saturday broadsheets.
The BBC Radio 4 morning programme Today had several interviews this morning about the events happening later in the day.
First, Robert Piggott who reports on Religious Affairs for the BBC talked about the background, listen here with Real Audio.
Second, interviews with Canon Stephen Lake, Sub Dean and Dr Philip Giddings listen here with Real Audio.
and the media coverage of events today has started.
BBC Three Counties Dr John to be installed this week includes a handy section listing “all you need to know about the installation service for Dr Jeffrey John”.
BBC News Gay cleric installed at St Albans. This currrently includes a link to the old video report from the day of the announcement of his appointment.
Independent Site of sacrifice and martyrdom, St Albans is to test the church faithful again with a gay dean (this story in the paper comes with a very nice photo of the Lady Chapel interior)
Press Association Martha Linden has Gay Priest Installed as Cathedral Dean
The Times has I should be a bishop, insists the gay dean
Sky News has GAY PRIEST IS NEW DEAN and GAY DEAN: DO YOU AGREE? which invites comments from the public.
Reuters has Gay priest to be installed as Dean
One of the most intriguing things about the ultra-conservative evangelicals of the CofE is that some groups do not acknowledge the existence of others. I can find no reference on the websites of either Church Society or Anglican Mainstream to the activities of the other organisation.
Today, Church Society issued a further press release about St Albans. As always, although they have a smart website they are apparently unable to render their press releases in html (very odd considering their general secretary’s profession prior to ordination) so I have done it for them below.
News Release
1 July 2004
4pm For immediate release.
St Albans appointment undermines the Church
The installation of Dr Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans marks a significant and regrettable step for the Church of England. It demonstrates that there are many who will not abide by the teaching of Scripture and will not stop until they have changed the teaching of the Church on sexual ethics.
All the evidence is that the liberalisation of the Church is destroying it. A liberal church, having abandoned the standards and message given by God in Scripture, has nothing to say to the world and no power to transform lives. Decline has been and will be the inevitable result.
Church Society and others have consistently argued that it is unacceptable for someone who teaches the acceptability of same sex sexual practice to be a minister in the Church of England.
The teaching of Holy Scripture is plain on this issue that sexual intercourse belongs solely within heterosexual marriage. This teaching has been consistently upheld by the Christian Church throughout history, it was reiterated by the General Synod in 1987 and by the Lambeth Bishops in 1998. The failure of many leaders to uphold this position today is undermining the credibility and mission of the Church of England.
This appointment flies in the face of the teaching of the Church.
The teaching of the Church of England is that homosexual practice falls short of God’s standards and should be met with a call to repentance (General Synod resolution of 1987). To appoint to a prominent position someone who, whilst claiming to be celibate, is apparently unrepentant for past behaviour and actually teaches the acceptability of such behaviour, destroys the Christian teaching on repentance. The Bishop of St. Albans and the Archbishop of Canterbury by agreeing to this appointment are themselves contravening the specific decisions of the Church in their desire to pursue their own agenda.
For further information please contact:
Revd David Phillips (01923-235111 / 07801-265049)
General Secretary and General Synod Representative for St. Alban’s Diocese
Revd George Curry (0191-273-4680 / 0775-287-2550) Chairman of Council
Church Society exists to uphold biblical teaching and to promote and defend the character of the Church of England as a reformed and national Church.
Today the Telegraph has a report by Jonathan Wynne-Jones that reports Money row over gay Dean could ruin Church.
Guidelines on how to protest against controversial appointments, such as the promotion tomorrow of Canon Jeffrey John, a homosexual, to be Dean of St Albans, have been drawn up by Anglican Mainstream, an influential network of orthodox churches.
The report is based primarily on the publication yesterday by “Anglican Mainstream” of this web page: Financial Options for Parishes.
Dr Philip Giddings, the “convenor” of “Anglican Mainstream” is quoted as saying:
“This is not blackmail. If parishes are sufficiently concerned about what a diocese is doing or not doing to contemplate this form of action we would expect there to be serious and meaningful conversation about the way forward.”
The AM web page says (emphasis added):
We have received a number of requests for advice on the range of financial options open to parishes wishing to take financial action, such as withholding some or all of their payments to the diocese, in response to unbiblical and unorthodox teaching. Anglican Mainstream does not advocate any of these particular options but recognizes that parishes are increasingly seeking advice in this area. We are therefore providing these Questions and Answers to help parishes think through the issues.
Update
And unsurprisingly, a similar report is in today’s CEN headlined Parishes plan to turn the financial screw. This article asserts that “Reform” represents 2000 parishes, which is rather a startling claim. Philip Giddings is quoted as saying:
“I have no doubt that a growing number of evangelical churches are considering their position. It is not the maverick churches, but the larger, more mainstream ones that have a track record of high involvement with church structures who are now feeling alienated.”
And the CEN also carries an open attack on the Bishop of St Albans in a feature entitled Trouble in St Albans: a worm’s-eye view.
On this morning’s Radio 4 Sunday programme, Stephen Bates of the Guardian was interviewed by the BBC’s Edward Stourton about the forthcoming installation of a new Dean of St Albans.
Listen here with Real Audio.
It’s only 3.5 minutes, but it gives a very accurate summary of the matter.
“In the light of recent events surrounding the appointment of a new Dean of St Albans”, Philip Lovegrove, who has been chairman of the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance since 1970, has resigned from that post, and also as an Honorary Lay Canon of the Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban, which he became in 1998. He remains an elected member of the General Synod from St Albans diocese.
The Bishop of St Albans has issued a statement which can be read in full on the diocesan website.
As previously mentioned the full text of the presidential address is here.
The Church of England Newspaper carried Jeffrey John appointment defended which says:
The Bishop of St Albans defended his appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of the Abbey amid a chorus of complaints in the diocese over the appointment.
Addressing his diocesan Synod on Saturday Bishop Christopher Herbert apologised for causing hurt and dismay, but called on his critics to recognise that theirs was not the only legitimate interpretation of the Bible for a Christian to hold on homosexuality.
While the bishop firmly denied that he approved of same-sex blessings, he questioned what weight the Christian tradition should put on scripture, the Christian tradition, the language of psychology, understanding of genetics and culture in determining such issues.
He said that huge and important issues surrounding the question of homosexuality remained about which the church had not been able to come to an agreed conclusion.
But evangelicals in the diocese, representing two churches which have already withheld quota and others which are considering such a step, put strong questions to the bishop about the process of the appointment.
And the Church Times had Evangelicals will boycott Dean
MEMBERS of St Albans Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship (DEF) say they will boycott the installation of the Rt Revd Dr Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans next month because of his homosexuality.
Speaking on Wednesday, Canon Nick Bell said that his “conscience and integrity” would not allow him to attend, and that this was true of other DEF members. He said that there was a mood of “unhappy resignation”.
In his presidential address to the diocesan synod on Saturday, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, responded to criticism of his acceptance of Dr John’s appointment by the Crown. His intention had not been to hurt those opposed to Dr John’s views.
He urged patience in order to “bring greater mutual understanding and reconciliation. “I also ask that, just as I recognise the sincerity of Christian conviction which moves the hearts of those who criticise what I have done, so my own desire to be a disciple of Christ be recognised.”
Replying to a question, Bishop Herbert said he would not ask Dr John to stop speaking publicly on certain issues, particularly same-sex blessings, once he was Dean.
But he said: “I have absolutely no doubt, given the experienced pastor and teacher that he is, that Jeffrey is aware of the complex sensitivities that surround the debate about same-sex unions.”
The St Albans diocesan synod met last Saturday. The diocesan website carries the presidential address and will no doubt have more reports in due course.
Neither Charles Dobbie nor Nick Bell bothered to attend. On the other hand Hugh Symes-Thompson not only attended, and asked a number of questions during the synod, but also distributed a flyer (which is reproduced in full here below the fold), and was thanked by Bishop Christopher for the courteous way in which he and Cranfield parish had expressed their disagreement.
The St Albans DEF released this week, via a third party, a letter they have sent to the Eames/Lambeth Commission.
A slightly odd story about the proposed National Front march appears in this week’s St Albans Review.
Cranfield Church Responds to Bishop’s move
At the May meeting of the PCC of St Peter & St Paul’s, Cranfield, the following motion was passed after considerable discussion: “In the light of the Bishop’s precipitate appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans this PCC agrees to suspend quota payments forthwith and urges continuing dialogue with the Diocese.”
The PCC was responding to a letter opposing the Bishops endorsement of the Dean-elect and signed by more than 20 members of the regular congregation urging it to take practical action. Many others, also unhappy with the situation, had spoken to the Rector. It was clear at the meeting that while there was considerable pressure for an urgent reaction there was a need for more information on how to relate the references to homosexuality in the Bible to our own day. Many of those present knew friends or relatives living in homosexual relationships. God loved people whatever their sexual orientation but this did not mean that every sort of sexual lifestyle is equally valid or that we could ignore what the bible teaches. The motion to suspend quota payments will send a strong message to the Diocese but it has no time condition so we can be flexible if circumstances change. It gives us space to consider the issues at greater depth so that we can plan a medium to long-term strategy - co-ordinated perhaps with other likeminded parishes.
The Anglican Church worldwide is now in turmoil over whether homosexual activity can be acceptable. Recently 18 Archbishops from provinces representing 55 million Anglicans, mostly from the ‘Global South’, demanded that the Episcopal Church of the USA be expelled if the appointment of Bishop Gene Robinson, an openly practising homosexual, was not revoked. They said, “This deliberate disobedience of the revealed will of God in the holy scriptures is a flagrant departure from the consensual and clearly communicated mind and will of the Anglican Communion.” In St Albans the lines are not quite so clear-cut, yet they are part of a worrying trend. Canon Jeffrey John claims to be in a celibate relationship with a fellow Anglican priest. And he is to be a Cathedral Dean and not a Bishop. But he is a leading campaigner for the acceptance and blessing of homosexual relationships by the church, as shown by his recently reprinted booklet “Permanent, Faithful, Stable” and by the press conference at which his appointment was announced. The Bishop of St Albans is clearly signalling by this appointment that such teaching can be permitted. But while Christians should be tolerant of those who hold different views it is absurd that they should welcome those who undermine the Scriptures and Church.
It is a great pity that this divisive issue has been raised in our Diocese and that it may divert the energies of local Christians from more worthwhile and important matters. I (and the PCC) will be glad to hear your views on this matter — whether for or against - as we seek to determine what should happen next. We hope that we will be able to provide input for an informed discussion within the Church and village. In the meantime further information can be gleaned from the Diocesan website and that of Anglican Mainstream. Further if you wished to write to the Bishop, the Queen or the Prime Minister then I should certainly encourage you. It is a critical time for the Anglican Communion.
www.stalbans.anglican.org
www.anglican-mainstream.net
Hugh Symes-Thompson
Updated Sunday 4 pm Today’s Observer had this In Brief squib:
‘Gay priest’ protest attacked
The National Front’s decision to organise a protest march against the appointment of a gay man as Dean of St Albans has come under fire from anti-fascist groups and gay rights organisations. Canon Jeffrey John, a gay but celibate priest, is due to become Dean on 2 July. The NF, which says up to 150 of its members will march on St Albans Cathedral in the next few days, says it is protesting at the ‘subversion’ of the church.
Updated Thursday 6 pm
The St Albans Observer website reports today that the far-right racist political party The National Front is going to stage a protest in St Albans. The National Front is a political movement based on the principle of Racial Nationalism.
***
Far-right to stage gay dean protest. Part of the story (which is not in the printed edition of the Observer, but rather in the sister paper the St Albans Review) reads:
FAR-RIGHT group the National Front is organising a protest march against the installation of a gay priest as Dean of St Albans.
Deputy chairman Bernard Franklin said the NF was aggrieved at the “subversion” of the Church of England and said up to 150 members would be taking action in protest at Canon Jeffrey John’s appointment.
Members will march to St Albans Abbey for the installation ceremony next month and distribute leaflets outside outlining their concerns at the “watering down of the Church’s message”.
He added: “As Christians we are concerned that the Church is failing as an institution.
“The pews are empty and what is preached now is more about being nice to each other than anything else. It’s meaningless in our view.
“We have nothing against Jeffrey John as a person and he is probably a nice enough bloke but the Church has been infiltrated and is being destroyed from within.”
The installation of Canon John takes place at 5pm on Friday, July 2. Hundreds of local dignitaries and clergymen will attend.
The Prime Minister’s secretary of appointments William Chapman will officially install Canon John as dean while the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, will induct him as Rector of the Parish.
The National Front has not yet confirmed where and when the march will start.
Police said they were not aware of the NF’s plans but said members of the public had a right to peaceful protest, hinting that the march would not be prevented.
Chief Inspector Jeff Taylor said: “If such an event does take place, the police would be required to ensure the event passes peacefully. The police role is to protect public safety and prevent a breach of the peace.”
The St Albans Review also carries an editorial comment:
Opposition to the appointment of gay priest Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans has come mostly from the Church of England’s own evangelical wing.
But this week the Review has learnt that the National Front has added its voice to the chorus of disapproval, adding an unsavoury element to an already polluted story.
Up to 150 members of the extremist movement intend to march to St Albans Abbey on July 2, the day of Canon John’s installation, to make their opposition felt.
These are the bare facts. The nature of the National Front’s opposition is less clear-cut.
It claims to have nothing against Canon John on a personal level but professes to be concerned at the way the Church of England has been infiltrated - like most other public institutions - by a shadowy cabal hell-bent on the destruction of nation states in favour of their own commercial interests.
It wants to see the Church restored to its supposed former glory with more emphasis on what it sees as the true message of Christianity.
Essentially it believes political correctness has diluted what is preached to the point where no-one is permitted to question the notion of racial and sexual tolerance.
The problem is that any legitimate concerns the movement has about the concepts of free speech and democracy are largely undercut by the utterly racist and extremist ideology it espouses.
Dismissing the National Front as an offensive fringe movement is too easy. Highlighting the intrinsic inaccuracies of their spurious and intolerant message is the more favourable course of action.
Today the St Albans Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship issued the statement reproduced below and the Diocesan Bishop issued a reply. To put this in context, the DEF previously issued two other statements, first this one and then this one.
DEF Statement
NEWS RELEASE
9th June 2004
10am for immediate release
St. Albans’ parishes prepare action plan.
An open meeting convened yesterday in St. Albans diocese considered a range of issues arising from the Diocesan Bishop’s support for the appointment of the new Dean of the Cathedral.
Over 70 clergy and laity were present and 17 others had sent indications of support. Thirty-seven parishes were represented.
Having received reports from a number of members who had recently met with the Bishop, considerable concern was expressed and in particular the following issues were discussed.
1. That the Bishop’s action has caused a breakdown of trust and divided the Diocese impinging upon the desire of the Bishop to be seen as a focus of unity.
2. The possibility of seeking alternative Episcopal oversight.
3. The ability of parishes to pay parish share (quota) in the light of lay giving being redirected and members leaving the Church of England.
Reports were received of PCCs considering withholding or suspending parish share commitments.
There was agreement that the grace and glory of the gospel of Christ is being undermined by the issues underlying this appointment.
The Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship, which convened the meeting, was asked to take appropriate action to pursue the matters raised and to work with other evangelical organisations not least to reaffirm the traditional Christian teaching on marriage.
For further information, please contact:
Revd Canon Nick Bell, Vicar of St Mary’s Parish Church, Luton
Tel: 01582 721867, Email: nickbell@stmarysluton.org
Canon Mr Philip Lovegrove, OBE, Chairman of the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance
Tel: 0207 448 4754, Home: 01462 481880, Email: philip.lovegrove@fiskeplc.com
Bishop’s response
Response by the Bishop of St Albans to the press statement entitled ‘St. Albans’ parishes prepare action plan’ issued on June 9th
9.6.2004
The Bishop of St Albans has noted the press release, dated 9th June, issued by the Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship. As that press release has made clear, the Bishop has already met members of the DEF, collectively and individually. He continues to leave the door open and welcomes the opportunity for further dialogue to take place.
What is needed, however, is not simply a conversation between groups and the Diocesan Bishop but also conversations between clergy and laity in the diocese who hold, in sincerity, views about the appointment which differ one from another. Real dialogue is based upon respect and takes place best in an atmosphere of prayerful reflection and mutual charity.
Ends
Contact. Capt A Crooks, Bishop’s press officer. 01727 853305
Email: chaplain@stalbans.anglican.org
Update Tuesday 8 June
Further reports about this on the websites of BBC 3 Counties (local) radio and Anglia TV (regional commercial television).
The Bedfordshire parish of Cranfield is reported to have decided to withhold its £23,500 quota from the St Albans diocese. See Church leads protest from the Barnet Times this week.
The story is also reported by the Press Association Another Parish Stops Funds in Gay Cleric Protest
The parish which reported an electoral roll of 99 persons and 58 Easter communicants (out of a civil population of 3436) in the 2003 diocesan year bookis held in plurality with Hulcote and Salford (combined population 162, electoral roll 31, Easter communicants 15) by Hugh K. Symes-Thompson. He was a signatory of the letter to the Bishop of St Albans sent by Church Society on 11 May 2004 and available here as a pdf file (html version here).
The quota sum to be withheld by Cranfield is less than the amount paid by the diocese to cover the stipend, pension, and housing costs of the Rector.
The Times today has a long interview with the former archbishop.
Just marry Camilla now, Charles by Robert Crampton
This is also reported as a news story co-authored by Ruth Gledhill as The natural thing is to marry, says Carey
The interview covers a range of subjects other than the one indicated by the headlines. One interesting section is copied below.
But if somebody is a homosexual and a Christian, and they feel called to become a priest in the Church of England, then he believes they should either abstain from sex or find something else to do. “That’s why,” he continues, “I think Jeffrey John is quite wrong. He’s now become Dean of St Albans. I would not have accepted that.”
Jeffrey John, it will be remembered, is the former canon theologian of Southwark cathedral who was peruaded to withdraw from his new position as suffragan bishop of Reading last summer. He is also openly gay. “Rowan Williams had a choice in that matter,” says Carey, “and if the State said ‘take it or leave it’ (the Prime Minister rather than the Archbishop appoints deans) that is the moment when disestablishment kicks in.
He must have said, ‘Yes, I go along with that’.” Carey then almost immediately backtracks. “It may or may not have gone before Rowan. In my case I always saw these appointments and, much as I like Jeffrey John as a person, I could never have given my assent.”
The Barnet Times carries this picture of Jeffrey John to illustrate its story Clergy back gay dean:
More than 40 clergy in the Diocese of St Albans have signed a letter signalling their support for the appointment of an openly homosexual dean.
The letter, which can be viewed by visiting the diocese’s web site, said the 47 signatories wanted to express their excitement and joy’ at the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John, who claims to be celibate but is in favour of same-sex relationships.
The letter said: “We see nothing in his appointment, his lifestyle or his views that contradict scripture, tradition and reason, and hope that, in the long run, those who find the appointment hard will be able to engage in a sensible and rational discussion of the issue of homosexuality, which we do not see as one to impair the unity of our diocese.”
Note: the letter is not on the diocesan website, only linked from there as is the DEF statement; the letter is in fact on the site of St Peter’s Berkhamsted.
The St Albans Observer carries a report of last week’s news under the headline Tax rebellion over gay dean. This action by a single parish in Barnet has already been reported in various papers including last week’s issue of the Observer’s sister paper in Barnet (same ownership, same webserver), so to describe it as an “escalation” is misleading.
THE row over the appointment of gay priest Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans escalated this week with one church openly rebelling by refusing to pay its diocesan tax.
Holy Trinity Lyonsdown, an evangelical church in New Barnet, is withholding its yearly parish quota of around £33,600 in protest at the appointment of Dr John.
Each church pays a stipend to the diocese which then redistributes some of the money to enable churches to pay their clergy and costs. Anything above that is kept by the diocese.
Lyonsdown’s decision means it will pay its own clergy and donate the extra funds believed to be around £5,500 to a charity that helps gay Christians live a celibate life.
Comment: For “some of the money” above read “about 80% of the money” as that is roughly what comes back to Lyonsdown out of its quota payment. But beyond this, the vicar lives rent-free in the diocesan-owned vicarage. And Mr Dobbie has elsewhere stated to the bishop:
As a matter of principle, which I am sure you will understand, we request forthwith not to receive financial benefit of any kind from the diocese.
but he has not yet announced that he will move himself and his family out of the vicarage. (See here for more detail on all this.)
The Herts Advertiser carries no news reports about any of this, but has only a number of letters from the public, some of which are against the appointment.
Jonathan Petre, writing in the Telegraph today under the headline Liberals in church ‘pursuing gay agenda’ purports to quote Drexel Gomez:
The Primate of the West Indies, Archbishop Drexel Gomez, said that last month’s appointment of Dr Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans had seriously undermined pleas for the warring parties to show restraint.
What Drexel Gomez actually said can be read in full here and the relevant bit in context is:
There is no small feeling amongst conservative members of the Communion that they are being asked to show restraint whilst the liberal agenda moves ahead, with bishops in ECUSA taking action against conservative parishes; the Church of Canada proceeding to debate the blessing of same sex unions; dioceses in the Episcopal Church actually going forward with the authorisation of such rites, and the appointment of known advocates of same sex unions to senior office in the Church of England. This is only likely to create a situation where the playing field is perceived as skewed - conservative reaction is held back, whilst liberal viewpoints are allowed to claim too much territory. It creates the question in many minds, “Why should we wait, if others are not showing the same restraint?” I should be grateful therefore if some way could be found of addressing this question, and pointing out to our Communion that in the period of preparation of the work of the Lambeth Commission, restraint needs to be shown on all sides, and provocation to “precipitate action” avoided.
Note that the Telegraph’s headline phrase gay agenda in scare quotes does not exist anywhere in the letter which refers rather to “the liberal agenda” (whatever that might mean) and also no person is named anywhere by Gomez.
If the entire headline was in scare quotes, that would reflect the view that Gomez is claiming something that is not in fact the case. I suspect this is not the view of the Telegraph however.
No other national paper has continued to mention St Albans except the Sunday Telegraph. Elizabeth Day had Rebel parish to fund ‘cure’ for homosexuals.
And this was echoed today by the London local evening newspaper the Evening Standard which had Vicar defiant in gays protest.
Update
And Church is divided over gay clergy issue from the Hendon and Finchley Times on Tuesday echoed the earlier Barnet and Potters Bar Times account by the same reporter. More on this below.
The Telegraph story concentrates on the intended beneficiary of the parish’s decision, the True Freedom Trust, but notes that
Martin Daly, the trust’s assistant director, refused to comment on the donation, insisting that the organisation had yet to decide whether to accept the money.
The Telegraph also reminds us that another similar body, the Courage Trust, had changed direction because
In 2001, the Courage Trust, a charity founded in 1990 to “heal” homosexuals, declared its mission to have been wrong, saying that such relationships were “God-given”.
The Standard quoted Mr Dobbie as saying:
“The biblical position on homosexual practice is consistent and clear, and it is against the Creation ordnance (sic) of God. This appointment is provocative and distressing for many Anglicans.”
Neither paper explains to their readers that some 80% of the so-called parish “tax” asked by the diocese is used to pay and house their own vicar.
The Hendon Times feature expands further on the position taken by the Courage Trust and Jeremy Marks:
Mr Marks said he was very, very sorry indeed’ about Holy Trinity Lyonsdown’s decision to withhold their quota.
“That sort of action in that sort of public way just means they are shooting the Church of England in the foot by refusing to accept a man eminently able to do the job. It’s shabby tactics and it’s divisive,” he said.
The Courage Trust home page links, I found, to the following article about the Bishop of Pittsburgh.
UPDATE Thursday 21 May
The increased signatures on this letter have made it into a news story, published on the web Wednesday, Clergy back gay dean in the Barnet and Potters Bar Times. (The St Albans diocese includes part of the London Borough of Barnet.)
This week in the Herts Advertiser, a local St Albans newspaper, there is a letter from 37 clergy of the diocese. The “original” of this letter appears here and now 20 May (21 June) shows 40 47 50 54 signatures.
SIR, - As 37 clergy in the Diocese of St Albans, from a variety of parishes and traditions, we wish to express our excitement and joy at the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans.
He is a noted teacher and theologian committed to the mission and growth of the church and will be a great asset not just to our Cathedral and Abbey church but also to the whole diocese.
We see nothing in his appointment, his lifestyle or his views that contradict scripture, tradition and reason, and hope that in the long run those who find the appointment hard will be able to engage in a sensible and rational discussion of the issue of homosexuality, which we do not see as one to impair the unity of our diocese.
We also wish to thank the Bishop of St Albans for his courage in allowing this appointment, to express our loyalty and support to him, and ask that others respect and honour his authority.
REV DUNCAN SWAN, REV JO SPREADBURY, REV HILARY DERHAM, REV JOHN HARMER, REV NIGEL JONES, REV CANON HALL SPEERS, REV PETER WADSWORTH, REV MICHAEL BURNS, REV MARK J. WILLIAMS, REV RICHARD WATSON, REV RORY REYNOLDS, REV JOHN K. WILLIAMS, REV DR. PAUL ANDREWS, REV ANNE-MARIE RENSHAW, REV MARK BONNEY, REV RICHARD PYKE, REV AUDREY ROSS, REV PETER BOLTON, REV PETER COTTON, REV CANON ERIC JAMES, REV CANON BILL RITSON, REV CANON JOHN TIBBS, REV SIMON MANLEY-COOPER, REV MARTIN WRIGHT, REV BRENDA TIPPING, REV CANON CHRISTINE FARRINGTON, REV GRAHAM NEWTON, REV ANNE LINDSAY, REV DAVID LINDSAY, REV CANON MELVYN BARNSLEY, REV MARGARET BREWSTER, REV CAROLINE DRURY, REV CANON ROBIN BROWN, REV CHAS BREWSTER, REV JANE BASS, REV JAMES REVELEY, REV GEOFFREY WHITE.
UPDATE Revised Thursday 21 May
More on this can now be found at this website. More precisely, what is there is a copy of the letter sent by Mr Dobbie to the Bishop of St Albans, and another covering email note from Mr Dobbie to the general public. Some quotes from that below.
The Telegraph reports today that Holy Trinity Lyonsdown has said it will refuse to pay any money to the Diocese of St Albans.
In what is thought to be an unprecedented act, Holy Trinity church in Barnet, north London, has told the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, that it will not pay a penny of the £33,600 the diocese expects.
The Rev Charles Dobbie, the vicar, said that he blamed Bishop Herbert for approving the appointment of Dr John, the openly homosexual cleric who was forced to stand down as Bishop of Reading last summer.
Mr Dobbie, a member of the conservative evangelical Church Society, said he hoped that other churches, some of whom already withhold parts of their quotas, would follow Holy Trinity’s lead and pay nothing.
“We were shocked and grieved by the appointment of Jeffrey John last month,” he said. “We have decided to stand up and be counted.”
He added that he would not now expect the Church Commissioners to pay for his upkeep, and any extra money the parish held would go to a Christian charity ministering to homosexuals.
Church sources said that the decision would have little impact on central finances, though the position could change if a large number of parishes followed suit.
This parish, which serves a population of 6500 Barnet citizens, had in the year 2003 an electoral roll of 97 though Easter communicants totalled 77.
The story was reported in more detail later in the day by the Barnet and Potters Bar Times which had Church rebels over gay dean:
A conservative evangelical church in Barnet made history this week by refusing to pay its diocesan ‘tax’ in a rebellion against the appointment of an openly gay Dean of St Albans.
In what is thought to be an unprecedented step in the Diocese of St Albans, Holy Trinity Lyonsdown, a C of E church in Lyonsdown Road, New Barnet, is withholding its yearly quota of around £33,600 in protest against the appointment of Dr Jeffrey John, who was forced to stand down following a public outcry after his appointment as Bishop of Reading last year.
Canon John professes to live a celibate life, but as the new Dean of St Albans supports same-sex relationships.
The Rev Charles Dobbie, vicar of Holy Trinity, said the church unanimously agreed at a Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting on Sunday not to pay a penny of the voluntary contribution.
Mr Dobbie said: “We have suspended the quota in its entirety with immediate effect and until further notice until the situation changes for the better.
“It is our expression of protest against the diocese for putting in place someone who is in a position of considerable influence and authority but is so far outside the standards of Anglican orthodoxy.
“We are just an ordinary parish church in the Church of England and we hope other churches will follow our lead.”
Because Anglicanism is an established church, Canon John’s appointment was decided by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Bishop of St Albans, Christopher Herbert. Rev Dobbie said the church’s quarrel is not with Dr John, who has always been candid about his position, but rather with Bishop Herbert, who approved the appointment.
He also revealed the money that would have gone to the Diocese was being donated to a Christian charity ministering to homosexuals, the True Freedom Trust. The charity aims to support Christians who are gay to live a celibate life with the support of the church.
Bishop Herbert criticised Holy Trinity’s decision as ‘misdirected’ and one which would not help resolve different views.
He said: “Where honestly-held views are at variance, the action by Lyonsdown does nothing constructively to carry forward the discussion. We need to listen deeply to each other and not take precipitate action.
“As an action of protest, it is misdirected. I suggest that the way forward is now to work for greater understanding, whilst acknowledging our differences, rather than making public gestures of protest.”
The Diocese of St Albans issued the following statement today:
Statement on the decision of Holy Trinity Lyonsdown to suspend their parish share contribution.
The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert has noted and is saddened by the unilateral decision of the Revd Charles Dobbie and the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Lyonsdown to suspend the payment of its parish share.
The Bishop comments:
‘I am deeply aware that there are strongly and sincerely held views about the appointment of Dr John as Dean of St Albans. There are many who welcome the appointment but some who find it distressing. In these circumstances, where honestly held views are at variance, the action by Lyonsdown does nothing constructively to carry forward the discussion that needs to continue between and amongst Christians and others. We need to listen deeply to each other and not take precipitate action.
Parishes in the Church of England are asked to make a payment, known in this diocese as the parish share, not to the Bishop, or even to the diocese of which they are a part, but as a contribution to the ministry and mission of the Church of England as a whole. Anglican churches throughout England receive the stipend for their clergy from the common source of these payments. The withholding of such funds can only place more pressure on other churches which continue to work hard to raise the requested payment for the good of the whole. As an action of protest, it is thus misdirected.
I suggest that the way forward is now to look to the ministry and mission to which all Christians in this diocese are called and to work for greater understanding, whilst acknowledging our differences, rather than by making public gestures of protest.’
From Mr Dobbie’s covering email:
Anticipating publicity, we have sought to make our stand (which reflects, as far as I can tell the wish of every member of our church which feels privileged to remain at the centre of historic mainstream Anglican orthodoxy) as principled as possible. To that end we have made clear to our diocese that we do not wish to receive any financial benefits from them at all with immediate effect. Allowing for this, we reckon that we will have about £5,500 left over from our quota which we intend to donate to True Freedom Trust - an evangelical Christian charity that works amongst homosexuals. We have thus sought to avoid any charges of profiteering or financial opportunism in our action.
In suspending our quota we have simply invoked (as a matter of conscience) an existing right to choose not to pay what is voluntary. I have confirmed with counsel that this is legally watertight and the diocese has no right of redress, retaliation or punishment against us. Indeed, I understand from legal advice that the quota system is “may be unlawful since it’s not made under the authority of parliament” - which is probably why it remains voluntary. I hope that other churches might follow suit and use their existing legitimate rights in this matter.
Mr Dobbie seems to have overlooked the fact that he currently lives rent-free in a house belonging to the diocese. To avoid receiving any financial benefit from the diocese, will he voluntarily move out?
UPDATE Revised Thursday 21 May
More on this can now be found at this website. More precisely, what is there is a copy of the letter sent by Mr Dobbie to the Bishop of St Albans, and another covering email note from Mr Dobbie to the general public. Some quotes from that below.
The Telegraph reports today that Holy Trinity Lyonsdown has said it will refuse to pay any money to the Diocese of St Albans.
In what is thought to be an unprecedented act, Holy Trinity church in Barnet, north London, has told the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, that it will not pay a penny of the £33,600 the diocese expects.
The Rev Charles Dobbie, the vicar, said that he blamed Bishop Herbert for approving the appointment of Dr John, the openly homosexual cleric who was forced to stand down as Bishop of Reading last summer.
Mr Dobbie, a member of the conservative evangelical Church Society, said he hoped that other churches, some of whom already withhold parts of their quotas, would follow Holy Trinity’s lead and pay nothing.
“We were shocked and grieved by the appointment of Jeffrey John last month,” he said. “We have decided to stand up and be counted.”
He added that he would not now expect the Church Commissioners to pay for his upkeep, and any extra money the parish held would go to a Christian charity ministering to homosexuals.
Church sources said that the decision would have little impact on central finances, though the position could change if a large number of parishes followed suit.
This parish, which serves a population of 6500 Barnet citizens, had in the year 2003 an electoral roll of 97 though Easter communicants totalled 77.
The story was reported in more detail later in the day by the Barnet and Potters Bar Times which had Church rebels over gay dean:
A conservative evangelical church in Barnet made history this week by refusing to pay its diocesan ‘tax’ in a rebellion against the appointment of an openly gay Dean of St Albans.
In what is thought to be an unprecedented step in the Diocese of St Albans, Holy Trinity Lyonsdown, a C of E church in Lyonsdown Road, New Barnet, is withholding its yearly quota of around £33,600 in protest against the appointment of Dr Jeffrey John, who was forced to stand down following a public outcry after his appointment as Bishop of Reading last year.
Canon John professes to live a celibate life, but as the new Dean of St Albans supports same-sex relationships.
The Rev Charles Dobbie, vicar of Holy Trinity, said the church unanimously agreed at a Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting on Sunday not to pay a penny of the voluntary contribution.
Mr Dobbie said: “We have suspended the quota in its entirety with immediate effect and until further notice until the situation changes for the better.
“It is our expression of protest against the diocese for putting in place someone who is in a position of considerable influence and authority but is so far outside the standards of Anglican orthodoxy.
“We are just an ordinary parish church in the Church of England and we hope other churches will follow our lead.”
Because Anglicanism is an established church, Canon John’s appointment was decided by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Bishop of St Albans, Christopher Herbert. Rev Dobbie said the church’s quarrel is not with Dr John, who has always been candid about his position, but rather with Bishop Herbert, who approved the appointment.
He also revealed the money that would have gone to the Diocese was being donated to a Christian charity ministering to homosexuals, the True Freedom Trust. The charity aims to support Christians who are gay to live a celibate life with the support of the church.
Bishop Herbert criticised Holy Trinity’s decision as ‘misdirected’ and one which would not help resolve different views.
He said: “Where honestly-held views are at variance, the action by Lyonsdown does nothing constructively to carry forward the discussion. We need to listen deeply to each other and not take precipitate action.
“As an action of protest, it is misdirected. I suggest that the way forward is now to work for greater understanding, whilst acknowledging our differences, rather than making public gestures of protest.”
The Diocese of St Albans issued the following statement today:
Statement on the decision of Holy Trinity Lyonsdown to suspend their parish share contribution.
The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert has noted and is saddened by the unilateral decision of the Revd Charles Dobbie and the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Lyonsdown to suspend the payment of its parish share.
The Bishop comments:
‘I am deeply aware that there are strongly and sincerely held views about the appointment of Dr John as Dean of St Albans. There are many who welcome the appointment but some who find it distressing. In these circumstances, where honestly held views are at variance, the action by Lyonsdown does nothing constructively to carry forward the discussion that needs to continue between and amongst Christians and others. We need to listen deeply to each other and not take precipitate action.
Parishes in the Church of England are asked to make a payment, known in this diocese as the parish share, not to the Bishop, or even to the diocese of which they are a part, but as a contribution to the ministry and mission of the Church of England as a whole. Anglican churches throughout England receive the stipend for their clergy from the common source of these payments. The withholding of such funds can only place more pressure on other churches which continue to work hard to raise the requested payment for the good of the whole. As an action of protest, it is thus misdirected.
I suggest that the way forward is now to look to the ministry and mission to which all Christians in this diocese are called and to work for greater understanding, whilst acknowledging our differences, rather than by making public gestures of protest.’
From Mr Dobbie’s covering email:
Anticipating publicity, we have sought to make our stand (which reflects, as far as I can tell the wish of every member of our church which feels privileged to remain at the centre of historic mainstream Anglican orthodoxy) as principled as possible. To that end we have made clear to our diocese that we do not wish to receive any financial benefits from them at all with immediate effect. Allowing for this, we reckon that we will have about £5,500 left over from our quota which we intend to donate to True Freedom Trust - an evangelical Christian charity that works amongst homosexuals. We have thus sought to avoid any charges of profiteering or financial opportunism in our action.
In suspending our quota we have simply invoked (as a matter of conscience) an existing right to choose not to pay what is voluntary. I have confirmed with counsel that this is legally watertight and the diocese has no right of redress, retaliation or punishment against us. Indeed, I understand from legal advice that the quota system is “may be unlawful since it’s not made under the authority of parliament” - which is probably why it remains voluntary. I hope that other churches might follow suit and use their existing legitimate rights in this matter.
Mr Dobbie seems to have overlooked the fact that he currently lives rent-free in a house belonging to the diocese. To avoid receiving any financial benefit from the diocese, will he voluntarily move out?
I see that the “Anglican Mainstream” website has today removed the links from several web pages to wholly unauthorized copies of the St Albans diocesan arms still resident on the AM web server. I look forward to finding those links broken soon.
The site also published two new sets of complaints by Philip Giddings against:
A. the appointment of the new dean, and
B. the bishop of St Albans.
These are described by AM as “emerging issues”. But none of the points listed in part A have arisen since Saturday 17 April when AM issued this statement and raised not a whisper about them. So the description is false.
On the other hand, in part B Dr Giddings makes party political charges against the Labour government. This certainly is new territory for attacking a bishop.
By the way Dr Giddings fails to mention that two bishops spoke in support of the Civil Partnerships bill in the House of Lords, one of whom was his own Bishop of Oxford (the other was the Bishop of Peterborough).
The Times today has a report by Ruth Gledhill, that on the web is headlined Gay dean is backed with an early start, which asserts that:
THE installation of Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans has been brought forward by three months as a signal of the cathedral’s support for the celibate gay clergyman at the centre of the Church of England debate over homosexuality.
Opposition in the St Albans diocese to Dr John, currently canon theologian at Southwark, has been gathering force and evangelicals have been meeting to plan a strategy to force his withdrawal, as they did from Reading last year.
The move of the installation service at St Albans to July from October is an indication that liberals in the Anglican Church are no longer prepared to allow themselves to be held to ransom by their more conservative brethren.
Senior clergy in the St Albans diocese want to avoid a repetition of what happened in the Oxford diocese, where evangelicals mounted a successful international campaign against the appointment of Dr John, an open but abstinent homosexual, as Bishop of Reading. Dr John was persuaded to stand down by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
The cathedral has published the text of a letter sent to the editor of the paper today:
Dear Editor,
Your report ‘Gay canon to thwart critics with early start,’ (Friday, May 7th) claims that the installation of Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans had been “brought forward by three months as a sign of support at the cathedral.”
It is true that the Cathedral Chapter and the vast majority of the congregation have shown their support for the appointment and are looking forward to Dr John’s installation and ministry here. In addition, the Abbey has received numerous messages of support for Dr John since the appointment was announced.
A range of dates were considered when the Abbey, the Bishop of St Albans and Jeffrey John were available, and we chose the earliest date, as the Abbey community has been without a Dean since Christopher Lewis’ last Sunday in July 2003, before he left to be Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.
Cathedrals need Deans, and we are keen to have Dr John in this key role as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
Stephen Lake
The Revd Canon Stephen Lake, Sub Dean
Addition
The CEN was the only other journal to mention St Albans this week.
See previous responses here including today’s St Albans Observer story.
The Herts Advertiser had this story Early July date for new Dean.
There are lots of letters to the editors about the new Dean of St Albans in both the local papers this week. Unfortunately only one paper has its letters on the web, but as many letters appear in both papers, it doesn’t matter so much. For seven days only, you can find links to all of them on this page
Among them was this:
Bigots’ response.
SIR, - Having learned of the proposed appointment of Jeffrey John as the Dean of St Albans, I was delighted to think that this man, who had suffered such despicable treatment last year resulting in his withdrawal from his appointment as the Bishop of Reading, should be coming to work in our city. However, not surprised but still extremely disappointed, I read in your newspaper, other local papers and the national press about the 40-strong band of “god-fearing folk” who under the collective of the St Albans Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship met and have publicly expressed dismay at his appointment.
What I find more sickening are the comments made by readers insinuating that because of his disclosed sexuality he would be a threat to our community, our young and to the church as a whole. Why do they really think that this man is a real threat, given his career to date, his achievements and his dedication to the Church? What grounds do they have to levy such insinuations?
Do the testimony of his peers, the likes of the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, Canon Stephen Lake and the Rt Rev Richard Inwood, count for nothing by way of endorsement for a man who would be a great asset to the Abbey and diocese of St Albans? I believe that these prejudicial thoughts and beliefs are borne out of blinkered bigotry that comes from the inability to, or wanting to comprehend and assimilate a new situation or concept when confronted with it. The scriptures will be quoted as shields and weapons to attack Jeffrey John. However won’t the scriptures also teach that concept of being a good Christian is the ability to show compassion and tolerance to all?
The use of the scriptures and their interpretation not only lead to persecution of individuals, as I believe is the case here, but also lead to conflict and wars as we are witnessing on a day-to-day basis.
With the types of attitudes expressed by what seems to be a small yet powerful contingent within the church, it does not take a rocket scientist to hazard a guess as to why congregations are on the decline. How many of the people in the fellowship cited above or those who are quick to spout unfounded vitriol through “letters to the editor”, have taken time out to contact Jeffrey John and air their grievances directly. Very few I guess. Let those without sin cast the first stone.
A couple of others are worthwhile:
Typical reaction (from a rabbit fancier)
New Dean (from the local Quaker Meeting)
Robin Eames has issued a letter to the primates and moderators of the Anglican Communion about the work of what is now called The Lambeth Commission on Communion. This deserves a careful reading in full.
And there were two news stories in British papers about what the commission might recommend. One could spend too much time analysing these rumours. Better, I think, to ponder Dr Eames’ words.
The Times had Church may split into a federation over gay clergy
According to a source close to the Lambeth Commission, canon lawyers are preparing for its second meeting next month in Kanuga, North Carolina, by studying the set-up of the worldwide Lutheran church, which embraces wide degrees of theological and ecclesiological difference, to see if this model could be adapted to suit the Anglican Communion.
The source said: “The quality of the communion depends on how far the Western Church is willing to sacrifice its lesbian and gay members.” The source indicated: “The primates will be circulated with the recommendations late July.
“The sort of federation we can expect will probably mirror the Lutheran model, with full members, non-voters and observers, depending on what they?ve been up to.”
The Telegraph had Williams leads ‘star chamber’ to avert gay crisis
An all-powerful “star chamber”, headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, is expected to be created under proposals to avert the collapse of worldwide Anglicanism over homosexuality.
As part of a blueprint drawn up by advisers, Dr Rowan Williams will be granted significant new powers, though not sufficient to transform him into an Anglican “pope”.
The archbishop would preside over a final court of appeal, allowing him to exercise the “judgment of Solomon” over warring factions in the 70-million strong Church.
This would be resisted by liberals keen to preserve the autonomy of their provinces, the 38 individual churches of the Anglican communion.
But it could help appease conservatives furious that liberals defied the will of the majority by endorsing Anglicanism’s first openly homosexual bishop in America.
Last weekend, the BBC had a radio interview with Njongonkulu Ndungane. You can listen with Real Audio here, or you can read the transcript provided by “Anglican Mainstream” here. He said in part:
Interviewer: But having come from such totally different position on homosexuality, doesn’t it suggest that you have had to compromise a lot? You said that you have had to work together to strengthen the position of the Church in Africa on the issue of human sexuality. Given the vast majority of Anglican leaders in Africa opposed to Gene Robinson election opposed Jeffrey John, that seems a turn around on your part?
Archbishop: No I think you have to got to put things in perspective, I think that our church has said quite clearly that we said “no” to same sex unions and I think that is where we find commonality on that one aspect of that resolution. But, we go further than that we in the church of Southern Africa, in the sense we take the cognizance of the report of sixty bishops who met and talked about this matter, together with the clauses of that resolution which call for on going discussion, and listening to the voice of gay and lesbian people. So in a sense we are being faithful to the resolution of Lambeth, and it is our hope that we can go at in that kind of way.
Interviewer: So you stand by your position, you spoke in favor of Jeffrey John last year. Therefore you welcome Jeffrey John’s appoin
