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Chelsmford priests declare themselves out of communion
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At least eight conservative priests in the
Diocese of Chelmsford have told their bishop, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, that they
will refuse to share Holy Communion with him. The priests are angry that the
bishop signed the letter sent by six bishops to The Times on Monday announcing
their support for continuing communion with ECUSA and supporting the commitment
to listen to lesbian and gay people. One of the group, the Rev John Richardson, a priest in Henham, Elsenham and
Ugley, Essex, said that a number of conservative parishes would not be able to
participate in services of confirmation, baptism or communion with Bishop
Gladwin. "We have never had a collective group of clergy out of sacramental
fellowship with their bishop since the 17th century", said Mr Richardson. "While
this is not the end of the road, it is one of the most serious protests we could
make short of leaving the Church." The Rev Richard Farr, the priest in charge at
the parish, added: "We want Bishop John to admit that he's made a mistake and
for him to step back from what he has said. As far as we are concerned, we are
now in a position of fractured communion." Mr Richardson thought that their numbers could swell significantly over the
next few weeks. Last November 100 priests in the diocese - more than a fifth of
the total -signed a statement expressing unease about the positive moves in the
Anglican Church to welcome lesbian and gay people and consider consecrating
women bishops. Chelmsford Diocesan Synod meets next Saturday; 19 March, and could be test
the real strength of opposition to the bishop.
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