After earlier reports that Jeffery John was likely the next Bishop of Southwark, the Telegraph reports he will not be receiving a mitre anytime soon. Yes, some skepticism about the news media is in order.
I hope that report is accurate, and not so much because he is gay. He claims to be celibate, and I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on that even though he lives with his partner. Yes, I can be very generous on occasion. Enjoy it while you can.
However, I do not think anyone who teaches what he does should be made bishop. Also, I still want the Church of England and the Anglican Communion to succeed somehow somewhat within the bounds of the faith. And the appointment of Jeffery John would have been extremely divisive and repellent to many orthodox. Right now the CofE and the Communion need something like that like a hole in the head.
Kudos to Rowan Williams for seeing that and putting the unity of the church before his own personal views.
So, yes, I am relieved it apparently will not happen at this time at least.
Of course, that does not mean there is not wailing and gnashing of teeth.
1 comment:
Technically, celibacy refers to being married or not. One could say they are celibate yet engage in sodomy.
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