Press Statement From Reform

Commenting on the appointment of Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans, David Banting, the Chairman of Reform, said “This is a provocative move at a time when we had thought that the Archbishop of Canterbury had called for a period of reflection on matters related to human sexuality.

The issue has always been Jeffrey John’s teaching. The doctrinal position he advocates on human sexuality runs counter both to the Bible’s teaching and to the House of Bishops’ own policy position. His teaching weakens marriage and family life and is an affront to the gospel. Over the past year, Jeffrey John has promoted his views actively and has done so with the approval of certain bishops. At his most recent press conference he has continued to show approval for lifelong same-sex unions. It is disingenuous therefore to suggest that he supports the present position of the House of Bishops. The fact that Jeffrey John has been appointed to such a prominent role means that he will now be in an even better position to undermine the House of Bishops’ policy. This demonstrates that the House of Bishops is powerless to maintain order within the Church; that the Archbishop of Canterbury is unable to exercise leadership on this divisive issue; and that the Bishop of St Albans is unable to discern the threat to the unity of his diocese that this appointment poses.

We very much regret this appointment and it is with deep sorrow that now, instead of a time of reflection, we foresee a prolonged period of growing disenchantment, confrontation and disorder as individuals and individual parishes consider the extent to which their communion within the Church of England has been impaired."