Dr Williams Throws his Hat in with the Bigots

KENILWORTH, 8 AUGUST 2002 — Lesbian and gay people throughout Britain will feel a sense of deep disappointment and disillusionment today as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, lets it be known that he has bowed to pressure from bigots and lent his support to the 1998 Lambeth Conference motion that condemns gay relationships and the ordination of gay priests.

In a letter (reported today in The Church of England Newspaper) to all 38 Primates of the Anglican Church, Dr Rowan Williams says that the Lambeth Resolution “declares clearly what is the mind of the overwhelming majority in the Communion and what the Communion will or will not approve or authorise. I accept that any individual diocese or even province that officially overturns this resolution poses a substantial problem for the sacramental unity of the Communion.” This last comment is a reference to the Canadian Diocese of New Westminster, which voted to support same-sex blessings.

George Broadhead, secretary of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) said: “It was expected that there was going to be a change for the better in the Church’s attitude towards homosexuality with the appointment of the new Archbishop who gay Christians claimed was very gay-friendly. This is a shocking betrayal of these expectations. It seems that Dr Williams has decided to throw his hat in with the bigots who constantly agitate against and slander gay people. This has an impact way beyond the confines of the Church – it is something that affects all gay people, whether they consider themselves Christian or not.”

Referring to recent attempts to legislate for equal opportunities for gays, Mr Broadhead pointed out that religionists are trying to have themselves exempted from anti-discrimination legislation so that they can continue to discriminate against gay people. “Until there is a sea change within the Church, the prospect of complete equality for the gay community seems remote”, he said.