Church plays down speculation of gay cleric as next Bishop of Bangor
by Jennifer Gold
Posted: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 13:25 (BST)
The Church in Wales has played down media reports speculating that controversial gay cleric Dr Jeffrey John could become the next Bishop of Bangor.
If elected, Dr John would be the first openly gay bishop in the Church in Wales and the UK.
Welsh bishops will meet at Bangor Cathedral on October 10 to vote on a successor to the previous Bishop of Bangor, the Rt Rev Tony Crockett, who died of cancer earlier this year.
A spokeswoman for the Church in Wales did not confirm that Dr John was in the running for the position, telling the Western Mail that nominations are not made until bishops in the electoral college meet to make the appointment.
According to the newspaper, the spokeswoman inferred that it was unlikely Dr John would be selected for the post in light of the moratorium on homosexual consecrations agreed by bishops at the recent Lambeth Conference.
"The bishops of the Church in Wales are mindful that the recent Lambeth Conference called for a moratorium on the ordination of bishops in single-sex partnerships and they take that conference very seriously," the spokesperson was quoted as saying. She added, however, that Dr John's popularity as a cleric and fluency in the Welsh language made him "absolutely" qualified for the post.
Dr John was forced to turn down the post of Bishop of Reading in 2003 when his appointment, supported at the time by the Archbishop of Canterbury, met huge protests from conservatives in the Church of England. He instead took up the role of Dean of St Albans. In August 2006, he entered into a civil partnership with long-term partner, the Rev Grant Holmes.
Earlier in the year, the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said that practising homosexuals should not be barred from becoming bishops and that he would support the election of a gay bishop.
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Added: Friday, September 5, 2008, 11:09 (BST)
Re: Jo
You are quite right - apologies for my rashness. The point I was trying to make however was that the criteria for chosing a bishop should be how well they are able to provide Biblical leadership and guidance to their flock rather than other criteria - otherwise why not just choose a random Welsh-speaking resident of North Wales to be the bishop.
John, Midlands
Added: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 15:35 (BST)
Re: comment by John, Midlands: Fluency in Welsh would be essential in a bishopric such as Bangor. Welsh is the first and everyday language for 80% of residents in Gwynedd.
Jo, Abergele, North Wales
Added: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 14:27 (BST)
You cannot be in sin and work Righteousness.
You cannot be Gay and be Saved.
You must be Repentive of sins and Turn to Righteousness.
igh, usa
Added: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 10:09 (BST)
"She added, however, that Dr John’s popularity as a cleric and fluency in the Welsh language made him “absolutely” qualified for the post."
I would have thought that knowing and following God's word would make you better qualified to be a bishop rather than popularity and fluency in Welsh?
John, Midlands
Added: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 10:03 (BST)
If Dr Morgan wishes to promote 'GAY' bishops he should do it nearer to home, say bishop of St Davids. St. Davids is in his own back yard and sending him to a very very consertive north waled diocese is going to cause much disruption in the churches. I know of one Church Warden that would resign in protest, and, we cant afford to loose these kind of people. I liked Barry when he was bishop of Bangor but once elected to be Archbishop has become wooley headed not listening to the congregation
David Hitchen, moelfre
Added: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 16:13 (BST)
The doctrine of Demons is in full swing. Where is discernment in this part of the body? The Church of the last days is upon us....
God Bless and "look up"
Marcus, Seattle USA
