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| "Gay dean is in the running to become Bishop of Durhamdanquot; The Times 6 May 2013 Photo: Chris Harris |
Harry Farley has reported in Christian Today that a second complaint has been lodged as "pressure builds" over alleged homophobia by the Church in Wales after a senior gay cleric was blocked from being appointed a bishop.
Where one wonders does Farley obtain his information? The hymn sheet is always the same. One sided, all singing in unison ?Homophobia, homophobia, homophobia ?. Who is the conductor?
In his Kiwianglo's Blog, an Anglican priest and LGBT advocate wrote a resume of the position of the Church in Wales as seen by the recently retired Archbishop Dr Barry Morgan. He emphasised "the Church in Wales has apologized unreservedly for its mistreatment of gay and lesbian people and strongly indicated it could allow or bless same-sex marriages in the future".
The Church in Wales is not homophobic, it is very gay friendly with LGBT chaplains. An over emphasis which is becoming all too obvious as the LGBT lobby tries to call the tune. There have been complaints from MPs, Cathedral Chapters and Electors with the list growing. Given the absence of any contrary view one suspects that the complainers are either gay themselves or sympathetic lobbyists. Much has been made of the weight of requests for John to be made bishop which merely suggests an orchestrated campaign. Others think it would be a disaster but they were not asked for their opinion.
This is what one unpublished (anonymous) commentator had to say "I am assured by someone who was present that no homophobic remarks were made in the electoral college. (Already in the public domain so he felt he could concur.) Also that there are a lot of lies being told about what happened."
Jeffrey John has been rejected many times. Originally he had my sympathy but no more. Others dioceses have come to the conclusion that Jeffrey John would be more of a distraction than an asset. He claims that the Church does not speak with authority, advocates same sex marriage claiming that God does too and controversially interprets the Bible to suit his circumstances. Previously he threatened to take the Church of England to court after he was blocked from becoming a bishop contrary to 1 Corinthians 6:7 "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?"
Why not rather be wronged, indeed? Nothing good can come out of this. The diocese, the province and the Church are suffering for one man's ambition. If he were to succeed in his outrageous campaign everyone else would be the loser.
Postscript
From ECCLESIASTICALLAW
Electing the Bishop of Llandaff: Propriety and Privacy
"The Thinking Anglicans website relates that the objection ?Has now been referred to the Legal Sub-Committee, which is a body in the Church in Wales assembled to consider sah and governance matters?.
However, it is difficult to see what this Sub-Committee can achieve, however legally learned its members. Absent proper authority from the Governing Body, it has no power under the Constitution to investigate the deliberations of the Electoral College. And to be effective in practice, any investigation of the objection is bound to contravene the constitutional rule of privacy concerning the Electoral College meeting. One procedural impropriety is remedied by committing another."
In full here .
Postscript [31.03.2017]
Two interesting letters have appeared in the Church Times.
The first from the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales, The Welsh Bishops on the Dean of St Albans and the see of Llandaff,responding to an"ill-informed, unbalanced" leader comment,
the second from the Rt Revd Dr Barry Morgan objecting to false allegations by the Dean of St Albans that Dr Morgan blocked his nomination to the sees of Bangor and St Asaph in 2008 and 2009.
LATEST
Church's legal subcommittee advises that complaints are without merit and bishops can proceed with appointment. Details here.
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