Evangelists call for new gay dean to step down

Gay Church of England cleric Jeffrey John was under pressure today to step down from his new post as Dean of St Albans.

A group of around 40 evangelical clergy and laity in the St Albans diocese met yesterday to express their “dismay” over his appointment, announced last week by Downing Street.

Dr John was forced to withdraw his acceptance of the post of suffragan Bishop of Reading last summer following a storm of protest from conservatives within the Anglican Church.

The Anglican Communion has since set up a commission to examine how to handle the issue of gay priests following the consecration of the first openly gay bishop in New Hampshire, in the US.

A statement issued by the St Albans Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship said the new appointment was a “serious error” of judgment following appeals for restraint over controversial appointments until the commission reports.

It added that they were “aggrieved” that the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, should have agreed to the appointment.

Their “disquiet and concern” over the appointment was further compounded by the statements made at a news conference last week by Dr John and Bishop Herbert, the statement said.

“We regard their views, as reported, as wholly erroneous and contrary to scripture,” it said.

“We respectfully request that the appointment be withdrawn,” it added.

Canon Nicholas Bell, of St Mary’s Church, Luton, said the appointment had been “sprung” on them.

He added that he was now considering whether to resign his post as a member of the college of canons at the cathedral.

“This drives a coach and horses through what we had considered to be a time for reflection and deep prayer,” he said.

A statement from St Albans diocese, said: “The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, will be pleased to meet with diocesan clergy and official representatives of parishes who are concerned about the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John, following his return from the diocesan pilgrimage.

“The Bishop is currently leading a long-planned diocesan pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, returning on Friday May 7.”