Gay Canon hands back post as Bishop

THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, called for a "pause for thought" yesterday after gay priest Canon Jeffrey John, announced he was withdrawing his acceptance of the post of the Bishop of Reading.

Dr John's decision followed weeks of controversy and infighting in the Church of England and intense pressure from the Anglican Communion.

Senior clerics had warned the Anglican church could break up if Dr John was appointed and a number of bishops wrote a joint letter to air their protests.