A PERSONAL OBSERVATION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF JEFFREY JOHN

By David Phillips

Following the announcement that Jeffrey John would become the next Dean of St. Albans, contradictory messages emerged from the diocese.

Richard Inwood, Bishop of Bedford, had previously signed a letter urging Jeffrey John not to accept the post of Bishop of Reading in 2003. Under normal protocol for dean appointments, Bishop Inwood was not consulted but learned of the decision just days before it was made public—presented with a fait accompli.

In his statement, he said:

“The appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as the Dean of St. Albans means we shall have a gifted preacher and teacher in this key position. He also brings a commitment to mission, both within the Cathedral community and beyond, which I welcome warmly.

Jeffrey John has made certain undertakings to the Diocesan Bishop regarding the Bishops’ statement Issues in Human Sexuality. This assures me that none of the issues that caused concern last summer—to so many people, including myself—will arise.”

However, during a PM radio program, interviewer questions revealed that Christopher Herbert, the Diocesan Bishop, clarified: “The undertakings were exactly those made by Jeffrey John before… nothing has changed.”

When pressed to specify, Herbert explained: “He is the first person to say, ‘Yes, I am homosexual,’ and secondly, ‘I have a celibate lifestyle.’ For me, that stays within the boundaries of what the House of Bishops Statement is about for clergy. I don’t see the problem—it seems a perfectly honourable situation, achieved perhaps at great personal cost.”

Thus, Jeffrey John’s only “undertaking” is his continued assertion of celibacy—something he claimed the previous year. Yet he and his partner, another Anglican clergyman, have acknowledged past homosexual activity, which contravenes House of Bishops policy. No disciplinary action was taken, and there is no indication of repentance. This appointment effectively endorses their past behavior and undermines official church teaching.

Moreover, Jeffrey John has consistently taught against the Issues in Human Sexuality statement—both before and after his non-appointment to Reading. Therefore, claiming he “abides by” the statement is misleading at best.

David Phillips is General Secretary of Church Society General Synod and Representative for the St. Albans Diocese.

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