UK Anglicans poised for first gay bishop

by David Masters

A gay priest is set to become one of the highest ranking officials in the Anglican Church, with his conservative counterparts threatening to quit if the appointment goes ahead.

It is believed that the Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, wishes to appoint openly gay priest Dr. Jeffery John, Dean of St. Alban’s, as Bishop of Bangor.

Earlier this year, Rt Rev Morgan suggested that he would support the election of a gay bishop.

55 year old Dr. John is a popular cleric and speaks fluent Welsh, attributes which a Church of England spokesperson said ‘absolutely’ qualified him for the post of Bishop.

Jeffery John entered a civil partnership with long-term partner Rev. Grant Holmes in 2006.

If selected as Bishop of Wales, he would become the first openly gay bishop in the UK Anglican Communion.

In 2003 the Anglican Church almost split when Dr. John was appointed Bishop of Reading.

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, forced Dr. John to decline the appointment to preserve the unity of the Anglican Communion.

Conservative priests in the diocese are threatening to quit their posts should Dr. John be appointed.

Canon Peter Jones, Vicar of Conwy and canon treasurer of Bangor Cathedral, has openly admitted that he will seriously consider his position if the appointment goes ahead.

He has made it clear that he is ‘strongly opposed’ to Dr. John being selected as Bishop.

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