From The London Telegraph-
Conservative Anglican leaders have warned that parishes who oppose Dr Jeffrey John’s ordination would be prepared to leave their south London diocese and seek “alternative episcopal oversight”.
This could mean them being led by orthodox clergy elsewhere in England or even by those in Africa or South America as has happened in the USA, triggering bitter legal disputes over the ownership of their church buildings.
They believe Dr John, currently Dean of St Albans, should not be appointed a bishop as he has a civil partner and has previously admitted being in an active homosexual relationship, which they believe goes against the teaching of Scripture. He is a divisive figure in the church as exactly seven years ago he was appointed Bishop of Reading but was forced to withdraw following protests.
In addition, there is meant to be a “moratorium” within the Anglican Communion on the ordination of openly homosexual clergy. Clergy are also supposed to refrain from “border-crossing” into other, more traditional provinces.
The Rev Paul Dawson, a spokesman for the evangelical conservative group Reform, said: “If Jeffrey John were to be appointed, [some] would be looking for alternative oversight.
“There would be a number of parishes who would say we would like alternative oversight, preferably in the UK.”
More Here-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7873464/Traditionalist-Church-of-England-groups-warn-of-defections-if-gay-bishop-is-ordained.html
No comments:
Post a Comment