Sir, Ruth Gledhill reports (“Stage is set for Britain’s first gay bishop,” Sept 2) that the conservative lobby group Anglican Mainstream maintains that the obstacles to his consecration remain the same as to his previous candidacies for senior appointments.

They are wrong on two counts. First, Dr Jeffrey John is celibate: celibacy has long been held as the ultimate commitment to God. Christians do not think of nunneries and monasteries as hellholes of same-sex gratification. Secondly, the Church in Wales is part of the Anglican Communion, but not part of the Church of England, and has been liberal minded for a long time. They may appoint whom they please.

There is a world of difference between the appointment of someone in an active sexual relationship and a celibate who is committed to another celibate.

Dr John’s only crime, if crime it be, is to campaign for an inclusive rather than an exclusive church, in line with the inclusive teaching of Jesus Christ.

Charles Dawes

Woodchurch, Kent

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