Archbishop of Canterbury and Church of England’s Most Senior Gay Cleric Considers Legal Action Over Discrimination Claims

Dr Jeffrey John, the dean of St Albans and the Church of England’s most senior openly gay cleric, has reportedly considered legal action against his employers over alleged discrimination. John, a celibate priest in a longstanding civil partnership with another cleric, was prevented from becoming the bishop of Southwark in 2010 after the archbishops of Canterbury and York intervened.

John was forced to resign as suffragan bishop of Reading in 2003 following objections from conservative evangelicals. His case has drawn attention to the internal divisions within the Church of England regarding the ordination of openly gay clergy. Legal experts suggest his potential lawsuit could hinge on a leaked memorandum from a former dean of Southwark Cathedral, which detailed tensions during the selection process for the bishop of Southwark in 2010.

The memorandum, written by the late Very Rev Colin Slee, described how both the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the archbishop of York, John Sentamu, “behaved very badly” during the meeting. It noted that Williams was “bad tempered throughout” and that during a critical vote, two – possibly three – members were in tears, with Williams making no acknowledgment. The memo also claimed that Sentamu and three others left the room simultaneously, altering the voting outcome.

Church of England legal advice from June of the previous year stated that there is no prohibition against promoting gay clergy to bishoprics, provided they are not sexually active and have never been while in the priesthood. However, the document also noted that a selection committee could veto a gay candidate if “the appointment of the candidate would cause di

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