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Around
2,000 people are expected to witness Canon Jeffrey John's installation
as the new Dean of St Albans Abbey this Friday.
Canon
John, who is openly gay, but celibate, resigned from the post of
Bishop of Reading last year after protests from conservative Anglicans.
But
he is now set to take up the position in St Albans, although the
city's Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship say that Dr John's appointment
as Dean is a serious error of judgement and have demanded that he
be stripped of his new post.
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Albans Abbey |
They
claim that statements made by Dr John since his appointment confirm
that he holds erroneous views contrary to the Bible and are angry
that the Bishop of St Albans Christopher Herbert agreed to the appointment
without consultation.
Support
Meanwhile the St Albans Cathedral chapter has given its wholehearted
support to the incoming Dean.
It
has said that it welcomes Dr John's appointment and that he has
the support of the vast majority of the congregation.
Canon
Stephen Lake added that Jeffrey John is bringing a track record
of scholarship and and preaching to the Abbey.
In
a further show of support, more than 50 clergy in the Diocese of
St Albans signed a letter signalling their support for the appointment
of the homosexual dean.
The
letter revealed that the signatories wanted to express their excitement
and joy’ at the appointment.
It
said: “We see nothing in his appointment, his lifestyle or
his views that contradict scripture, tradition and reason, and hope
that, in the long run, those who find the appointment hard will
be able to engage in a sensible and rational discussion of the issue
of homosexuality, which we do not see as one to impair the unity
of our diocese.
"We
also wish to thank the Bishop of St. Albans for his courage in allowing
this appointment, to express our loyalty and support to him, and
ask that others respect and honour his authority."
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ALL
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR DR JEFFREY
JOHN
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- Members
of the Abbey congregation had to enter a ballot to receive
tickets and a waiting list had to be put in place.
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- The
Bishop of St Albans, the Rt. Revd Christopher Herbert, will
be presiding and preaching.
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- The
lessons are from Micah 6, verses 6-8; and Paul's letter
to the Ephesians, 1 verses 15-23.
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- Canon
John will be collated as Rector in the Nave. He will be
instituted and installed as Dean in the Quire, then will
pause to pray at the Shrine of Saint Alban before taking
his place in the final procession.
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- An
anthem, entitled 'Emmanuel, has been specially composed
for the service. The composer, Philip Moore, is Organist
and Master of the Music of York Minster; the words are those
of a poem 'Christmas Eve' by Eric Milner-White.
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- Children
carrying shields representing Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire,
St Albans diocese, England and Saint Alban will accompany
the opening processions of Civic Representatives, and of
Diocesan and Visiting Clergy. The children are from the
Abbey's youth and children's organisations.
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- The
hymns include Draper's 'All Creatures of our God and King,'
Kethe's All people that on earth do dwell,' George's 'Alban,
high in glory shining' and Walsham How's 'For all the saints
who from their labours rest.'
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- When
instituted, the new Dean will be led to his stall by the
Bishop. He will later be clothed in the Alban Cope, worn
by the Deans of St Albans. This is red, with notable people
from the Alban story on it. It was made by the Abbey's textile
guild and is around 20 years old.
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Reaction
to appointment >>
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Listen to Christopher Herbert and Dr Jeffrey John confirming
the appointment
