Conservative evangelicals in the Anglican Church, already on the verge of breaking up after the ordination of the gay bishop Gene Robinson in the US and the authorisation of same-sex blessings in Canada, condemned Dr John’s elevation as an “outrage” and predicted that it would take the Church a step closer to schism.

The Times has learnt that Downing Street plans to announce on Tuesday that Dr John, who is in a celibate relationship with his long-term partner, another priest, is to head the chapter at St Albans.

His appointment to one of the most senior jobs in the established Church is being seen as a step towards possible episcopal preferment.

The cathedral has been without a Dean since the Very Rev Christopher Lewis moved to Christ Church, Oxford, last October. Liberals in the diocese have lobbied for months for Dr John, who many believe was treated unfairly over the Reading appointment and who is considered to have all the gifts needed to make an international impact as a preacher.

The elevation of Dr John is surprising because, in an attempt to prevent further fracture, provinces throughout the Anglican Church had been asked to refrain from controversial actions until the Lambeth Commission, set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams to resolve the crisis, reports at the end of this year. The appointment will further convince African church leaders that the “mother” Church in England is committed to the liberal agenda embraced in North America.

The nomination of Dr John, a liberal Catholic, to Reading provoked vociferous opposition around the world, even though he lives strictly within the guidelines set out by Church of England bishops in 1991 and his relationship is not sexually active.

In spite of Dr John’s adherence to church rules, Dr Williams gave in to pressure and persuaded him to withdraw for the sake of church unity.

The initial response to Dr John’s appointment in the St Albans diocese was mixed. Christina Rees, a lay member of the General Synod, said: “He will be a very good Dean for St Albans. He is an excellent theologian and has very good pastoral and interpersonal skills. He will be warmly accepted and welcomed.”

Evangelicals in this country, however, greeted the appointment with caution. Anglican Mainstream, which promotes evangelicalism, said: “The biblical requirement for Christian leaders remains to uphold the Church’s teaching and fashion the life of their household in accordance with that.”

But David Virtue, the evangelical commentator who runs the influential website Virtuosity, said: “This is an outrageous appointment. It is a backdoor attempt to make homosexuality mainstream in the Church of England.”

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