Gay bishop

last updated 8 January 2015

London

The highest Anglican church official, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, has appealed to Anglicans everywhere to calm down about their bishops’ sexuality. The appointment last week of an openly gay—but celibate—man as bishop of Reading caused a furor in the Church of England. Nine Anglican bishops signed an open letter opposing the appointment. Just a few weeks ago, the same issue roiled Episcopalians in the U.S. when a gay priest was elected bishop in New Hampshire. Williams said that in a world where violence, disease, and poverty afflict billions, the issue of homosexuality among priests is not the most pressing problem facing the Anglican community. Episcopalians should “give each other a little more time and space for thought,” he said.