Dean of St Albans tipped as new Bishop of Bangor
THE Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, is being tipped as the new Bishop of Bangor Insiders believe the 55-year-old is highly likely to be chosen because he was born and brought up in Wales and is a Welsh speaker. The Dean, who is homosexual, was appo
THE Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, is being tipped as the new Bishop of Bangor
Insiders believe the 55-year-old is highly likely to be chosen because he was born and brought up in Wales and is a Welsh speaker.
The Dean, who is homosexual, was appointed Bishop of Reading five years ago but was forced to stand down by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a personal friend of his, after the election sparked outrage.
He was later made the Dean of St Albans but is now being considered for the post of Bishop of Bangor in North Wales following the death of the previous incumbent from cancer in June.
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Dr John has long campaigned for the church to relax its opposition to homosexuality, and is in a civil partnership with his long-term partner, the Rev Grant Holmes, though their relationship is celibate.
The Sub-Dean, Canon Stephen Lake, who is covering for the Dean who is on holiday, said: "It is purely speculative at present and I don't think anyone will know anything for sure until the Welsh bishops meet to decide the issue."
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At last month's summit of Anglican bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, urged liberals not to inflame tensions by electing any more gay bishops.
But the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, recently admitted he would support the election of a gay bishop despite opposition among orthodox Anglicans.
The clergy of Bangor and bishops of Wales will meet next Wednesday to discuss the vacant role while the election of the next Bishop will take place on October 10. The successful candidate must win two-thirds of the votes.
