A gay bishop would cause 'serious damage' to Church

Traditionalists warned of "very serious damage" to the Church of England if an openly gay cleric is appointed as a bishop.

Reform, the evangelical conservative grouping, warned the Church could face a split if it appoints the Very Rev. Jeffrey John as the new Bishop of Southwark.

The Rev. Paul Dawson said: "Our view is that it would be a very serious step for the Church of England if he were to become a bishop and it would cause very serious damage within the Church of England itself.

"We think that if this were to happen, then the sort of split that has happened in America would be precipitated here."

The warning comes amid reports that Dr John, who is the Dean of St Albans, is on a list of candidates being considered by the Crown Nominations Commission to replace the Rt Rev. Dr Tom Butler, who retired earlier this year as Bishop of Southwark.

Dr John was forced to withdraw his acceptance of the post of Bishop of Reading in 2003 after protests from traditionalists.

He is openly gay, and entered a civil partnership in 2006 but is understood to live a celibate life.

The CNC, the body responsible for selecting bishops, meets today and tomorrow to decide on two names, in order of preference, to submit to David Cameron as the new Bishop of Southwark.

The Prime Minister then submits a name to the Queen who then formally nominates the candidate to the post. A spokesman for the Church of England said the deliberations of the CNC were kept secret and declined to comment.

The Rev. Colin Coward, of Changing Attitude, the Anglican pro-gay grouping, described Dr John as a "very gifted" pastor and preacher.