Dr Jeffrey John has been approved by the Queen for the job - one of the most senior roles in the Church of England - and was welcomed today at a press conference led by the Right Rev Christopher Herbert, Bishop of St Albans.

Dr John's nomination last May as Bishop of Reading provoked strong criticism from conservative evangelicals.

He was eventually persuaded to withdraw from the post by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Dr John also takes on the role of Rector of the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans.

Dr John, who earlier said he was "honoured" to be appointed, said in a press conference after the appointment was confirmed that he backed the idea of same-sex unions.

"I support the state and the Church offering gay people a framework of living their lives. I hope that ultimately the Church will be able to bless that kind of relationship too."

This is an outrageous appointment - it is a backdoor attempt to make homosexuality mainstream in the Church of England

David Virtue

He acknowledged the issue of gay weddings was like "red rag to bulls" to conservatives.

Dr John - who has a long term partner - said he wouldn't be attempting to do anything in the Abbey "which goes against the canons of the Church of England".

The first openly gay Anglican bishop, Canon Gene Robinson, was confirmed as Bishop of New Hampshire in the US last month.

But his consecration in November threatened to split the worldwide Anglican Church.

And traditionalists have warned that following Bishop Robinson's ordination, this latest move would take the break-up of the Anglican Church a step further.

David Virtue, the evangelical commentator who runs the influential web site Virtuosity, said: "This is an outrageous appointment. It is a backdoor attempt to make homosexuality mainstream in the Church of England."

But liberals in the St Albans diocese are believed to have been lobbying for months for Dr John, 51, to replace Dean Lewis, who moved to Christ Church, Oxford, last October.

'Unfortunate timing'

The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, welcomed Dr John's appointment.

He said: "Jeffrey John has a well deserved reputation for being a good, caring pastor.

"He is an intelligent, courageous priest who will follow a long line of superb Deans of St Albans and will bring to the Abbey a wide range of gifts.

"He is a man of prayer, a preacher and teacher of real authority and grace."

Dr John said that he was not expecting a repeat of the "storm" over his appointment as Bishop of Reading last year, which "frightened the horses".

St Albans Cathedral

His nomination caused a bitter row within the Church of England and eventually led to him saying he feared his consecration would damage the "unity of the Church".

"I suspect that a good deal of the storm last summer was to do with the timing. It was unfortunate that it happened at the same time as events in New Hampshire," he said.

Dr John has been in his current post as Canon Chancellor and Bishop's Adviser for Ministry in the Diocese of Southwark since 1997.

A date is yet to be set for when he takes up his new role but a ceremony is expected to take place this autumn.

Backing

Meanwhile, a retired canon of St Albans Cathedral has given her backing to the appointment.

Patience Purchase says people will accept Dr Jeffrey John and he won't use his position as a campaigning platform.

She likens his appointment to the controversy when women priests were introduced:

"When people met a woman priest and saw her functioning, they said 'I thought I wouldn't like it, I thought it would feel all wrong, but actually it's OK.

"I think this is what will happen with Jeffrey John" she added. "He's not going to use the Cathedral as some kind of campaigning platform anyhow. He's not that sort of person."

What do you think about the Dr Jeffery John's appointment? Send us your views.

Hilary Munro, Caterham	Tuesday, 01-Feb-2005 15:53:07 GMT
I don't see why homosexuality is such a 'sin' in the eyes of the church that they cannot give homosexuals equal rights. If sin is all the same in the eyes of God, surely all men and women ordained by the church have committed the same amount of sin found intolerable by God, but just like homosexuals have given thier lives and hearts to God. The Anglican church is simply trying to keep traditions and rules that no longer are applicable to todays society, just the same as most of the rules in Leviticus now days we completely ignore. If the church is going to be so addament that these rules are kept, then they have to be consistant!

gwil, hatfield	Friday, 16-Jul-2004 08:57:18 BST
I'm not sure who i hate more, the christian church or the BNP. At least the BNP are up-front about their bigotry! the bible has been written and re-writen over the years to justify slavery, killing disabled people and keeping women down - it's social control! any gay person who actually chooses to be in that institution needs their head looking at!!! :o)

Pat, Watford	Sunday, 13-Jun-2004 17:06:37 BST
I thought Jesus preached tolerance. Wheredoes it say that Jesus said homosexuals were bad people? If he can forgive prostitutes and other "sinners" and not homosexuals then he was a hippocrite and my faith in Jesus has gone down the drain.

Clair, St Albans	Wednesday, 21-Apr-2004 13:02:59 BST
Yes I agree Kevin. The Anglican congregation is not shrinking because the church is ignoring the clear teaching of the Bible but because the church appears to be full of narrow minded bigots that many people living in the modern world are happy to keep away from - while respecting their right to think that way of course! We just don't have to agree with them!

Kevin, Welwyn Garden City	Wednesday, 21-Apr-2004 12:59:20 BST
Sure if you think homosexuality is a sin (which I don't by the way) Then doesn't Christianity teach forgiveness as well? Surely tolerance, love, inclusiveness and the understanding and respect of other people and their life choices is a more Christian way to live?

Dan, Hatfield	Wednesday, 21-Apr-2004 10:56:23 BST
Having been through the contoversy associated with Dr John whilst in Reading, I can't believe that the Church of England would appoint him to this position. The views expressed by the churches in Reading were not 'NOT ON MY DOORSTEP!', they were expressing the concern that it is against bible teaching to appoint someone of his tendancies. I'm not gay bashing, as in the eyes of God all sins are equal, but the bible is quite clear. I am surprised that there has not been any recorded reaction from the local church in St Albans and the Diocese. What do the vicars and parishioners of the area think?

Mrs Doreen Davis, Bedford	Tuesday, 20-Apr-2004 07:54:02 BST
I think this appointment is a sad declaration of the state of the world today. It goes against all the teaching of the Bible and is an abomination to God! and will be the downfall of the Church.

Ernie, Bedford	Tuesday, 20-Apr-2004 08:45:24 BST
No wonder as a church, the Anglian congregation is shrinking, as the church ignores the clear teaching of the Bible. The Bible has stood the test of time so why does Dr John think the word should be ignored to suit his own personal preferences. A decent man would resign his membership of the leadership if he wants to persue his gay leanings.

My Kind Of Heaven