Most C of E bishops scared to publicly back gay clergy, says vicar
by Harriet Sherwood, Guardian:
Andrew Foreshew-Cain says small number of ‘super-conservative puritans’ have disproportionate influence.
Church of England bishops are being cowed by a small group of “super-conservative puritans” who believe homosexuality is a sin, leaving most too scared to speak out in support of gay and lesbian clergy and parishioners, according a leading gay vicar who is quitting the priesthood.
Andrew Foreshew-Cain, the only gay vicar in the church to have spoken publicly about his marriage, told his congregations this week he was leaving the ranks of clergy after 27 years because “institutional homophobia” prevented him from getting another job.
Foreshew-Cain said a handful of homosexual bishops were in relationships, and at least 20 clergy had quietly married same-sex partners against C of E rules. The church permits clergy to be in same-sex relationships that are celibate, but forbids clergy from entering into same-sex marriages.
“If it’s truly OK to be gay and celibate in the C of E, and all these bishops are gay and celibate, why aren’t they open about their lives? It would make a tremendous difference to the LGBT community in the C of E and beyond, and would show integrity both in them as individuals and in the church,” Foreshew-Cain said.
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