Activist backs gay cleric in bishop row

The Church in Wales would accept Dr Jeffrey John - the CoE's most senior gay cleric - with open arms according to the Rev Martin Reynolds, a leading equalities campaigner in the church.

His comments come after the CofE's House of Bishops announced it had lifted its ban on gay clergymen becoming bishops - but only if they don't have sex.

Their plans to allow women to become bishops have already been derailed by hardline members of their General Synod and the same evangelicals will try to block this move.

They are the same conservatives who reacted furiously when Dr John was appointed Bishop of Reading in 2003, forcing the priest to turn down the role.

Dr John entered into a civil partnership with Rev Grant Holmes in 2006.

Newport-based Rev Reynolds revealed the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams blocked Dr John in order to avoid further right-wing protests.

But the reverend said Dr John's sexuality would not stand in the way of his progression to bishop if he returned to Wales.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Rev Reynolds said: "Wouldn't it be nice if he became a bishop in the Church in Wales?

"We know that the Archbishop of Wales has said if there was a gay man who was in a relationship who was nominated, he'd be happy to ordain him."