Church has to make a decision.Byline: By Denise Robertson Some 1,750 years ago St Alban was beheaded for avowing his faith. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. legend the executioner's eyes fell out as a Divine retribution. On the same spot Canon Jeffrey John has now been installed as the Dean of St Albans Abbey. Controversy rages over his appointment for the same reason that he was forced to relinquish the Bishopric of Reading last year. Canon John is gay. Some parishes in the St Albans diocese are threatening to withdraw financial support and there are worldwide rumblings of discontent as the Church divides on the issue. Some fear there will be a schism that will rend rend v. rent or rend·ed, rend·ing, rends v.tr. 1. To tear or split apart or into pieces violently. See Synonyms at tear1. 2. the Church of England Church of England: see England, Church of. in two. It will be sad if that happens but, just as St Alban stood up for what he believed in, the Church must decide where it stands and accept the consequences. Are homosexuals God's children and entitled to His grace or are they not? There is no in between. |
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