Gay bishop accuses Primates of homophobia
by Tim Wyatt, Church Times:
ONE of the bishops who were told that they could not bring their same-sex spouse to next year’s Lambeth Conference has accused conservative Primates of homophobia in their opposition to his presence.
The Area Bishop of York-Scarborough, the Rt Revd Kevin Robertson, a suffragan in the diocese of Toronto, said that he was not convinced that archbishops from the global South who had insisted that his husband, Mohan Sharma, could not attend the Conference were motivated solely by theological conviction.
Bishop Robertson was told in person by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace earlier this year that Mr Sharma, unlike the husbands and wives of all other bishops, would not be invited to the Lambeth Conference in 2020.
“It was disappointing, absolutely, and I expressed that to the Archbishop,” Bishop Robertson said. He had been at Lambeth Palace for an induction event for new bishops from across the Anglican Communion.
“It was disappointing not only for me and my spouse, Mohan, but I also asked him what message does this send to more progressive Anglicans, not only in the UK and North America, but to gay and lesbian Anglicans in places in the Communion where it’s very difficult to come out.”
When asked if he believed the fierce opposition to his presence, let alone Mr Sharma’s invitation, from GAFCONaligned Primates was driven by homophobia, he replied “I do.”
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