Questions raised about Archbishops’ appointment
By Luke Appleton, Anglican Ink:
A number of eyebrows have been raised about the new Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments. Stephen Knott has been appointed to one of the most influential positions within the Church of England. Now to be clear few if any of the concerns raised directly relate to Mr Knott’s sexuality or the fact that he is married to a man. The issue by concerned Synod members does not relate to theology but rather the fact that Mr Knott’s marriage took place in a Scottish Episcopal Church. Readers will be aware that the SEC’s position on the issue puts it at odds with the Anglican Communion and that the Church of England is currently undergoing the Living in Love and Faith ‘project’ to discern a way forward.
The recent General Synod election results sent a strong and resounding message that there is no democratic mandate to depart from the status quo with regards to the marriage canon. This raises two issues with Knott’s appointment.
Firstly, the role of Secretary for Appointment’s wields considerable power and influence with regards to Episcopal appointments. His predecessor Caroline Boddington was known to be incredibly influential and thus the role has attracted a lot of attention.
Secondly, while I don’t think anyone wishes to intrude or cast judgement on Knott’s private life or his marriage, to have had such a public wedding overseen by a figure as senior as the Bishop of Edinburgh is probably the greatest endorsement of a marriage canon change one could gain.
Read also: Lambeth Deputy to become Archbishops’ Appointment Secretary is a Married Homosexual by David Virtue, VOL
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