Archbishop of Canterbury would support appointment of gay bishops, if they pledge celibacy

Archbishop of Canterbury: Gay rows wounding church

LONDON — The Archbishop of Canterbury says he is not opposed to the appointment of gay people as bishops, if they remain celibate.

Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, was quoted Saturday by the Times of London, as saying he had “no problem about a gay person who’s a bishop,” but that they must not be involved in sexually active relationships.

His comments are likely to anger equality campaigners, since celibacy is not compulsory for heterosexual clergy.

Earlier this year, Williams blocked the appointment of the Very Rev. Jeffrey John, a celibate gay cleric, to the post of bishop of Reading.

Williams told the newspaper the decision had been his most difficult, and acknowledged the issue of homosexuality had been “a wound in the whole ministry.”