THE Bishop of Basingstoke has given his support to nine bishops who have criticised the appointment of homosexual Dr Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading.

The nine Bishops - headed by The Right Reverend Michael Scott-Joynt who is Bishop of Winchester and the fifth most senior bishop in the country - have signed a strongly-worded open letter warning that they feel the appointment is a threat to church unity.

Despite assurances that Dr John is now celibate, the nine say they are concerned by his history of being in a homosexual relationship for 20 years.

In the letter, they say: "Dr John has many admirable qualities for the work of a bishop. But the issue is what is acceptable sexual behaviour in God's sight? By his own admission, he has been in a same-sex relationship for 20 years. We value, of course, the gift of same-sex friendship and, if this relationship is one of companionship and sexual abstinence, then we rejoice."

The Bishop of Basingstoke, The Right Rev Trevor Willmott, said he would have signed the letter if he had been asked.

Rev Willmott (pictured) told The Gazette: "I certainly have great sympathy with the letter and I would have signed it.

I was not in fact asked. My personal views are very similar to those expressed by the Bishop of Winchester and are shared by the other bishops in the diocese.

"I think the appointment has the potential to cause division within the church. I would raise my concerns on exactly the same issues as the signatories raised.

"I think it emphasises, for me, the question as to how Dr John would be able to respond to the position that the church takes in its paper Issues in Human Sexuality on same-sex relationships. I think that there may be questions of what that 20-year relationship would mean for Dr John in the light of his decision to say he is now celibate.

"The judgement of the church is in scripture and scripture talks about the unity of the church and the sanctity of marriage and the purpose in that sense of God working with men and women. I think this action has the potential to damage that unity."

Asked about his attitude towards gay vicars, the Bishop replied: "I am certainly not homophobic. My own view is that the church should welcome all who come to us - but that welcome doesn't mean that we condone or accept all relationships.

"However, a standard has been set for us. We don't think it proper that someone who is ordained should be in an active same sex relationship.

"On the subject of homosexuality, its judgement was that someone who is in a same-sex relationship should not be ordained into the ministry of the church. And I would agree with that."

* Do you have a view on this issue? Write to The Letters Editor, The Gazette, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstoke gazette.co.uk