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Bishop of Grantham rst C of E bishop to declare he is in gay relationship | World news | The Guardian
The bishop of Grantham has become the rst Church of England bishop to
publicly declare that he is gay and in a relationship. In a move that will be
embraced by campaigners for equality but is likely to alarm conservatives
who fear the church is moving away from traditional teachings, Nicholas
Chamberlain said there had been no secret about his long-term albeit
celibate relationship with his partner.
But a threat by a Sunday newspaper to reveal Chamberlains sexuality had
pushed him to speak publicly. He acknowledged that the revelation would
cause ripples within the church. It was not my decision to make a big
thing about coming out, he told the Guardian in an exclusive interview.
People know Im gay, but its not the rst thing Id say to anyone. Sexuality
is part of who I am, but its my ministry that I want to focus on.
Chamberlain was consecrated last November, and all those involved in his
appointment including Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury were
aware of his personal situation. During the process of being appointed as
suragan bishop of Grantham, he said, I was myself. Those making the
appointment knew about my sexual identity. His appointment was made
by the diocesan (senior) bishop of Lincoln, Christopher Lowson, and
endorsed by Welby.
Chamberlain said he adhered to church guidelines, under which gay clergy
must be celibate and are not permitted to marry. In the appointments
process, We explored what it would mean for me as a bishop to be living
within those guidelines, he said.
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Bishop of Grantham rst C of E bishop to declare he is in gay relationship | World news | The Guardian
I will speak [at the meeting], and this part of me will be known. I hope Ill
be able to be a standard-bearer for all people as a gay man. And I really hope
that Ill be able to help us move on beyond matters of sexuality, he said.
Its not to say this isnt an important matter Im not brushing it aside, he
added. But the church needed to focus on issues such as deprivation,
inequality and refugees, he said.
Asked whether other bishops might follow his lead in openly declaring their
sexuality, he said: I really can only speak for myself. If Im an
encouragement to others, that would be great.
Chamberlain said the C of E was still at the beginning of a process of
learning about issues of sexuality, describing it as a struggle. I dont think
weve reached a position where the church is going to be marrying same-sex
couples, he said. He declined to express objections to the C of Es celibacy
rule for gay clergy. My observation of human beings over the years has
shown me how much variety there is in the way people express their
relationships. Physical expression is not for everyone.
He hoped to be judged by my actions as a parish priest, a bishop and by
the Lord ultimately. My sexual identity is part of who I am, but its the
ministry that matters.
In a statement, the C of E said: The church has said for some time that it
would be unjust to exclude from consideration for the episcopate anyone
seeking to live fully in conformity with the churchs teaching on sexual
ethics or other areas of personal life and discipline.
Rumours about gay bishops have circulated for decades, but no serving
bishop has ever before gone public about their sexuality. David Hope, the
former archbishop of York, said that his sexuality was a grey area after
being threatened with being outed; and former archbishop of Canterbury
George Carey claimed to have knowingly consecrated two celibate gay men
as bishops in the 1990s.
In 2003 the Times reported that the Right Rev Peter Wheatley, then the
bishop of Edmonton, was gay and living with his partner. He said he was a
celibate Christian living by Christian teachings.
Also in 2003, Jerey John, now the dean of St Albans, was nominated as
bishop of Reading while being in a same-sex relationship with another C of
E priest. Despite publicly declaring the relationship to be celibate, John
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Bishop of Grantham rst C of E bishop to declare he is in gay relationship | World news | The Guardian
Topics
Anglicanism LGBT rights Christianity Religion
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