Rev John rejected for Bishop post again

Jeffery John

Cleric Rev Jeffrey John has been rejected for the post of Bishop for the second time in his career due to his sexuality.

Currently the Dean of St Albans, Rev John was shortlisted for the job last week and aside from the issues around his sexuality, he was considered the front runner for the job. However, the Crown Nominations Commission who are responsible for the selection of Bishops have rejected him for the position. Reports in the Daily Telegraph suggest that a secret meeting of senior church figures, which included the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, decided that his appointment would lead to a split in the church and that some parishes would not recognise him as a bishop.

An inquiry has been set up within Lambeth Palace to find out who leaked Rev John’s name as a frontrunner to the press. It is exactly seven years since Rev John was rejected for the post of Bishop of Reading. It is thought the same hard-liners who derailed his appointment then were also responsible for leaking his name and blocking his appointment this time. Supporters have called on David Cameron to over-rule the Commission. It is Cameron who will personally submit the name of the new Bishop to the Queen and he has been called on to refuse to carry out the task.

The Arch Bishop will be fighting more fires this weekend as the General Synod, the Church of England’s senior leadership, meet to discuss the issue of appointing female Bishops.