• The House of Bishops agreed on the new rule shortly before Christmas
  • Gay rights campaigners say lack of official announcement is 'perplexing'
  • The new rule was rejected earlier last year as liberal and traditionalist fractions of the Church of England disagreed on the issue
  • Move may be first challenge of the next Archbishop of Canterbury's tenure

By Suzannah Hills

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The future Archbishop of Canterbury faces the first challenge of his tenure as the The Church of England today announced it has axed its prohibition on gay clergy in civil partnerships becoming bishops.

The new rule, passed by the House of Bishops, will allow gay clergy to become bishops if they promise to be celibate.

The Church has faced a damaging rift between the Church's traditionalist and liberal wings over the issue in recent years.

Facing challenging times: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby may find the announcement on gay bishops - which had divided the church for years - the first test of his tenure

Facing challenging times: The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby may find the announcement on gay bishops - which has divided the church for years - the first test of his tenure

The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who will take over the role in February, could find he is forced to tackle growing divisions within the Church when he officially conferred.

The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, proposed the move back in 2010 and urged the Church to endorse it or risk seeing the 'piece-by-piece dissolution' of the Anglican Communion.

But as recently as March last year, the proposal was blocked by opposition after two Bishops voted against it.

Dividing issue: Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams pushed for the move to be approved in March 2012 - but it was opposed

Dividing issue: The current Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams pushed for the move to be approved in March 2012 - but it was opposed

Many worshippers up and down the country have also voiced their opposition to the new rule.

The extreme opposing views on the topic may explain why the new rule was approved with little fanfare last month and only highlighted today by the Church Times newspaper which noted the detail in minutes of the House of Bishops' last meeting.

A summary of business conducted by the House of Bishops when it met shortly before Christmas included that the Bishops 'confirmed that the requirements in the 2005 statement concerning the eligibility for ordination of those in civil partnerships whose relationships are consistent with the teaching of the Church of England apply equally in relation to the episcopate'.

This amounts to a lifting of the moratorium on the appointment of clergy in civil partnerships as bishops, the Church Times said.

Gay human rights campaigners have described the lack of an official announcement from the Church of England and the current Archbishop of Canterbury at the time of the decision as 'perplexing'.

The 2005 statement on civil partnerships says the House of Bishops does not regard entering into civil partnership as intrinsically incompatible with holy orders, 'provided the person concerned is willing to give assurances to his or her bishop that the relationship is consistent with the standards for the clergy set out in Issues in Human Sexuality'.

Issues in Human Sexuality, compiled by the House of Bishops in 1991, is the Church's definitive statement on same-sex relationships. It states that 'the clergy cannot claim the liberty to enter into sexually active homophile relationships'.

Allowing gay clergy to become bishops became a controversial issue within the Church after Gene Robinson was appointed as the first openly gay Anglican bishop by the liberal-leaning Episcopal Church in the US in 2003. 

Dean of St Albans Dr Jeffrey John, pictured at St Albans Cathedral in 2004, is the most senior openly gay member of the Church of England clergy

Dean of St Albans Dr Jeffrey John, pictured at St Albans Cathedral in 2004, is the most senior openly gay member of the Church of England clergy

This has since led to numerous debates and attempts to reach a deal that would appease both the conservative and liberal fractions of the Church.

The new rules that finally allow gay clergy to become bishops comes after the General Synod controversially rejected proposals to allow women bishops in November.

Ruth Hunt, director of public affairs for gay rights campaigners Stonewall, said: 'We're sure many Anglicans will be happy to hear of the Church's latest epiphany on gay clergy, although many lesbians will be disappointed that they remain unable to serve as bishops.

'I'm sure celibate gay men will be thrilled by this exciting new job opportunity, if perhaps somewhat perplexed as to how it will be policed by the Church.'

Gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: 'Any move to lift the ban on gay bishops in civil partnerships is a welcome move towards greater equality within the church.

'However, the lack of official statement from the House of Bishops or the Archbishop of Canterbury is perplexing. If the policy has been changed, it is a significant development and should be officially confirmed by Anglican leaders.

'I hope this means the way is now open for Jeffrey John to be appointed as a bishop.'

Dr John, Dean of St Albans, is the most senior openly gay Church of England cleric.

He was reportedly forced to withdraw his acceptance of the post of bishop of Reading in 2003 after protests from traditionalists.

It has also been claimed that he was blocked from being appointed as bishop of Southwark in 2010.
Dr John entered a civil partnership in 2006, but is understood to live a celibate life.