Concerned Oxford Clergy Briefing Paper
The Appointment of Jeffrey John as the Bishop of Reading

A group of 80 clergy and 20 laity wrote privately to the Bishop of Oxford to express dismay over the appointment of Canon Dr Jeffrey John as the Bishop of Reading. Since then many others in this country and overseas have also voiced their concern, including nine diocesan and seven suffragan bishops in England .

What is the objection to this appointment?

• We are not objecting to Canon John’s sexual orientation. We wish to show everyone, whatever their sexuality, that they are loved by God. We are committed to sharing the Christian gospel and offering welcome and pastoral support to all people, Christian and non-Christian, heterosexual or homosexual.

• We are unable to accept this appointment because of Canon John’s present teaching. He is a well known advocate of same-sex unions and has strongly criticised the traditional, biblical position of the Church of England and Anglican Communion (as expressed in a 1987 General Synod motion and in the 1998 Lambeth Conference). We have appreciated Jeffrey John’s regret concerning the polemical nature of some of his previous statements about the church’s teaching on homosexual relationships. We also note he has said he will uphold the discipline of the church as expressed in Issues in Human Sexuality. However, our concerns remain. We do not see how he can ‘uphold’ this policy with integrity given his previous strong criticism, both of it and of those bishops who publicly follow it, while privately opposing it (a position he has called ‘personally dishonest’).

• We are also concerned by the lack of any statement of regret about acknowledged previous sexual activity, which is contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the discipline of the church.

Why does it matter?

The appointment raises issues that are far broader than the subject of homosexuality alone:

(a) The authority of Scripture

The Bible is clear that the only place for sex is within heterosexual marriage. Every single biblical text which speaks of same-sex sexual activity is negative (e.g. Romans 1:26 -27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Will we submit to its authority or choose to reject it?

(b) The unity of the church

The worldwide Anglican Communion is already in danger of fragmentation after the first blessing of a same-sex union in the Diocese of New Westminster in Canada and the appointment of the first openly practising gay bishop in New Hampshire (both within the last month). This appointment is another divisive act which goes against the mind of the Anglican Church and seriously threatens its unity, both in this diocese and much further afield.

(c) The protection of believers

The appointment will make it harder for us to encourage Christian believers to keep living holy lives. In particular, our ministry to Christians in our churches, who experience homosexual desires, but who seek to remain celibate out of obedience to Christ, will be undermined.

(d) The mission of God

We have a wonderful message to proclaim about God’s loving offer of forgiveness and acceptance to all people through Christ. But Christ also calls on those who trust in him to repent and seek to follow him. Sometimes that will mean presenting an uncomfortable message that many in our culture may not want to hear. Our witness to the world is now compromised by bishops who send out a conflicting message from the one we teach from scripture.

How should we respond?

Each church will need to come to its own conclusion as to how it will respond to this situation. It is urgent that we pray for God’s mercy on us all and for his wisdom. At all times we should seek to act according to these principles:

(i) Humility

We are all sinners who are utterly dependent on God’s grace. We cannot approach others with an attitude of superiority.

(ii) Integrity

We must ensure that we always act in accordance with the teaching of Christ and follow his example of grace and truth.

(iii) Unity

We should do all we can to stand together and support one another in the different costly action we may choose to take.