Saturday 22 September 2007

Archbishop calls secret service for gay clergy

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to hold a secret Communion service for gay clergy and their partners in London.

Dr Williams will celebrate the eucharist at St Peter’s, Eaton Square – the Church of England parish that is known as the spiritual home to some of the country’s most liberal and wealthy Anglican elite. There he will give an address titled “Present realities and future possibilities for lesbians and gay men in the Church”.

The event has been organised under Chatham House rules, which prevent any disclosure of the discussions. The event will take place at 10am on November 29. A list of the names of those who will be present will be seen only by Dr Williams. It will be shredded afterwards.

Among those attending will be the convenor, Chris Newlands, the chaplain to the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev John Gladwin. Also present will be the Vicar of St Peter’s, the Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, and the former chaplain to the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev David Stancliffe. Read more


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1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hello John,
just one little thing - a member of St Peter's Eaton Sq wrote to The Times to say that their headline's inaccurate. Dr Williams didn't "call" the service but was invited to lead it and to speak. Not that The Times changed its headline in the 'net version of the piece, but still.
in friendship,
Blair Hunwick, Surrey