For some, Jeffrey John, who has been appointed the next Bishop of Reading, is a symbol of the direction they don’t want the Church of England to go. For others he is a symbol of the inclusive church they would like to see. When a person becomes a symbol, rational discussion is difficult. But it is important to look at the arguments against his appointment.

John is an openly gay man, committed to a sexually abstinent lifestyle. I do not see how a Christian could object to the appointment of such a man. He is also in a lifetime relationship of love and companionship. I see nothing in the Bible against this. We read that “Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:3). The nine bishops who wrote an open letter criticising the appointment said: “If this relationship is one of companionship and sexual abstinence, then we rejoice.” It is. I look forward to those bishops commending John’s relationship.

John has argued for the church accepting faithful, lifelong, same-sex relationships. Those opposed to the appointment suggest the Bible is against this, but there is no wide consensus on interpretation of the Bible on this issue. John also believes the church must offer the gay community — prone to promiscuity — an alternative to a lifetime of celibacy.

Celibacy is a wonderful vocation, but it has to be chosen freely. A number of bishops, perhaps the majority, have sympathy with John’s arguments, but we have presented a united front to the world in opposing them, at least as far as clergy are concerned. John’s relationship had a sexual dimension at one time. Opponents call on him publicly to repent. He has brought his relationship to his confessor and canonical superiors. If there has been anything wrong, the least a charitable mind can do is assume it is confessed and forgiven. Which Christian is going to say that John is a greater sinner than they are?

The crucial decision made by the first Christians was that Gentiles could become Christians without being circumcised or obeying other aspects of Jewish law. Some, like Peter, found this very difficult. Then he had a dream in which he saw that Gentiles could be accepted fully. Perhaps, like Peter, those opposed to this appointment will dream about people of the same sex loving one another through life, and Jesus saying: “This rejoices my heart; may it rejoice yours too.” Jesus said nothing against homosexuality. He did say something very fierce against divorce. The church, however, has made provision for divorced people to be married in church.

Gay and lesbian people find themselves with God-given affections for people of the same sex. If celibacy is not the chosen path, then, John has urged, the right course is a relationship of lifetime love. Divorced people who remarry and gay and lesbian people who enter into such relationships are in a similar position. God takes them and their love, as it is, and blesses it.

The appointment of John as Bishop of Reading has been divisive and I regret that. But looked at rationally, the arguments against it do not stand up.