The gay cleric, Canon Jeffrey John has been installed as the new Dean of St Albans Abbey as anti-fascists gathered outside to show him their support.

See the photo gallery >>

The gay clergyman Canon Jeffrey John has been installed as Dean of St Albans in a ceremony at the city's cathedral.

Last year he had to step down from his appointment as Bishop of Reading because of opposition from conservative Anglicans but today (Friday) Dr John told the congregation in St Albans that this was where God wanted and intended him to be.

Jeffrey John was installed before a supportive 2,000-strong crowd with an elaborate religious ceremony filled with hymns, prayers and scripture readings.

Reverend David Grade enjoys healthy discussion with anti-fascist protesters outside St Albans Abbey See the photo gallery >>

The Right Rev. Christopher Herbert, the Bishop of St. Albans, gave a sermon admitting that John's appointment had created opposition within the
church.

"I have been aware during the process and since that the reactions to the appointment would be very mixed" he said.

"There are very, very many who are absolutely
thrilled; and there are some of my fellow Christians who have been - and remain - deeply upset, angry and dismayed ... what we have to do is listen deeply and patiently to each other so that understanding on all sides may grow."

Meanwhile more than 100 members of the group, St Albans Unite Against Facism, held a peaceful protest near the cathedral to show their support for the ceremony and Dr John.

Right wing protest groups had been expected to cause trouble but they failed to materialise, although one protester held his own outside and the two groups enjoyed a healthy debate.

Concerned
The lone protester against the installation of Dr John was the Reverend David Grade, a Bishop of the African Church in Liverpool and the leader of the Battle of Britain Christian Alliance Party.

He said that he was there to object to the installation of a homosexual into the Church of England ministry.

Anti-fascist protester outside the Clock Tower in St Albans See the photo gallery >>

"The Bible forbids sodomy" he said. "The Bible also says that homosexuals can be cured which is much disputed today.

"But in the Bible it says that some of the Corinthian Christians were homosexuals at one time, as well as being drunkards and adulterers and so on, but they’d been transformed by being born again through the power of Jesus Christ.

"We don’t hold any hatred" he continued, "But I’m very concerned about the effect on all these young people, even the little children here today, who are being told that it’s quite alright to be homosexual - which we strongly object to."

Support
But many others had turned out to show their support for the appointment and to have a presence in case any extreme right wing groups appeared.

"I didn't want the National Front in my town" said Susan O'Leary. "St Albans is a very tolerant town and I hated the thought of it.

"I'm not a Christian, I don't have a view on the church but I believe that all forms of homophobia are wrong. We are all diverse in sexuality and we should celebrate that and not hate it."

Laura Huckins from Welwyn added:

"I saw the posters and I'm really in favour of diversity so I came along. It's nice to see something like this happening in St Albans because we don't get much of it and it's nice to celebrate it."

Moved
Others had come from further afield. NUT representative Clare Jenkins had come directly from the TUC Lesbian and Gay and Transgender conference being held in London:

Gwyllam Roberts protests See the photo gallery >>

"We have passed a motion this afternoon expressing our solidary and support of Canon Jeffery John in his appointment as the Dean of St Albans and we've come to show our presence."

Gwyllam Roberts from Hatfield also felt moved to travel to his neighbouring town although he was in two minds as to who he most wanted to protest against:

"At first when I heard about it I didn't know who I wanted to protest against the most" he explained. "Whether it should be the Christian Church or the Nazis.

"Part of me thinks that Christians are probably even worse because at least the BNP are upfront about it.

"But then I chose to come along and focus on what I believed most people would be focusing on which is the anti-nazi thing.

"I think it's brilliant" he added. "It's the first time I've seen something like this in sleepy St Albans."

Hurt
A large contingent from the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement were also outside the Abbey.

David Warren, who is on the Board of Directors, explained that they had come to support Jeffery John and also to protest against the fascists who they believed were coming too.

"We want to show our support for Jeffery and for the decision that the Church here has taken" he explained.

A nod to Father Ted! See the photo gallery >>

"It's definitely a step in the right direction and we are fully behind them and believe there is a lot more that can be done.

"The God that I believe in is a God of love, if he doesn't love you then it's NOT the God that I believe in."

"I personally feel very hurt when other Christians don't support homosexuality in the church" he continued.

"They don't seem to realise the amount of faith that a lot of people have. The tell people they are in the wrong because of what they are, even though they can't change the fact that they are gay.

"It is not a choice, it is what we are and therefore to be told you can't be a Christian because of what you are - it hurts."

Saying what they think outside the Abbey in St Albans

Linda Stanford, Pinjarra Western Australia	Monday, 10-Jan-2005 13:33:36 GMT
Very sadden as a born again christian to see how the word is changed to receive this sort of thing. God must weep at his creation, more so when they move into the Church. Still God say's judgement begins in the house of God first. Praise the Lord.

Richard Jones, Heppner, Oregon USA	Sunday, 09-Jan-2005 08:05:43 GMT
This is not a matter of bigotry it is a matter of morality. the church is wrong in this situation. Ordaining a person in a Christian church is NOT the way of God's word. God's word is very clear on the homosexual activity and it has no place in the church. too bad that what is wrong these days becomes all right if it is pushed before the people long and hard enough.

Katy Flynn, London	Wednesday, 20-Oct-2004 11:53:02 BST
Why do you not publish comments against homosexuality. My friend wrote in here and had something worthwhile to contribute but you did not publish it! Many people believe homosexuality is an illness you know, (even the psychiatric societies think so, but have been intimidated by gay activists to keep quiet) It is NOT living as God intended. God created woman for man, and if you don't believe that, then you don't believe hte Bible, and if you don't believe the Bible, how can you believe in anything, such as the main reason for Christianity. Life everlasting. (thru the forgiveness of sins) first we need to know what those sins are, in order to repent. Homosexuality IS a sin! (but sadly very few will dare say so!):( God is Love, yes, but he cannot abide sin. We MUST come clean first. Hope you publish SOME of this, at least! god bless you and help those who don't realise the truth. "forgive them, for they know not what they do"?

Ginger, Los Angeles	Monday, 18-Oct-2004 17:58:57 BST
I hope you are brave enough to publish this, but it is true that homosexuality is not natural, and causes AIDS. God knew what he was going when he banned it. It is very sick indeed, but still people don't know any better, I guess. The church should be an example of clean living, not living in sin. (sorry, but it's true) God is no mocked. He loves us, but knows what is best. Sodomy is evil.dirty and a deception. Whatever happened to calling people to repentance. "be not conformed to this world"

Grace , Eltham	Monday, 18-Oct-2004 17:53:55 BST
There is too much decadence in our Society today, and it does not help if the church goes along with it. Homosexuality IS banned in the Bible, and for good reason. (it causes AIDS) It's time the Churches went back to preaching repentance and living clean lives, as examples. It's all getting out of hand. Teenage pregnancies, abortions, family breakups. Not as Jesus would have liked it. Hope the church speaks out against it all.

Brenda Henry, Baldock, Herts	Saturday, 16-Oct-2004 10:49:09 BST
It is quite plain in the Bible and one only has to look at the difference in anatomy to see that Males were DESIGNS (created) for FEMALES. The difference is vast! Male to male sex produces diseases, and bears no good fruit, whereas male to female sex produces LIFE! New life! Keeps like going! One is creative and the other is destructive. "Be no deceived. God is not mocked. What a man sows so shall he reap" Yes God loves all of us, but he cannot look upon sin, and if we have sin on/in our souls we are separate from God. Homosexuality is a sin. (not a crime) God did not create woman for woman or man for man. He created woman for man. "the two shall cleave together and become one flesh" I have been on TV 5 times about deceptions in religions and this one is really getting a grip.:( God help us all!

bob , Milton Keynes	Thursday, 12-Aug-2004 13:40:05 BST
Tom, I think you must have completely misunderstood the story. The anti fascist protestors arrived in St Albans to protest in favour of Jeffery John and against the Nazi's who had said they would be marching to protest against his installation. At no point were the anti fascist protestor against the appointment of Jeffery John, they were in full support, as their posters indicate. I think you owe the journalist who wrote the story an apology for accusing them of irresponsible journalism.

Tom Holland, Letchworth	Wednesday, 11-Aug-2004 15:13:07 BST
Surely there is strong political bais in calling those who disagree with the appointment of Dr Jeffry John anti fascist. Many millions of citizens have a range of reasons for not agreeing and none of the reasons for the vast majority are in any way fascist. Please let us have more responsible journalism!

Les O'Leary, St Albans	Saturday, 03-Jul-2004 01:22:09 BST
Thanks for all the work - great pics, great report. Trebles all round

Judith M O'Leary, Manchester	Saturday, 03-Jul-2004 17:16:56 BST
Excellent coverage - congratulations to all involved. Canon Jeffrey John should have the support of all who espouse freedom. St Albans should party!

natalie, middlesbrough	Monday, 05-Jul-2004 13:21:11 BST
wow action in sleepy st albans - brilliant! ace report and nice to see so many sensible and accepting people turned out. x

Barbara Bethel, Minot, ND USA	Monday, 05-Jul-2004 23:55:39 BST
The Bible tells us to 'Love the sinnner not the sin'. This Church of England, which I grew up in, is wrong, wrong, wrong. To install Canon John. His life style is against the Bible that is meant to be the base on which our faith and Church is built. History has a habit of repeating it's self. Just read the self same Bible and find out what happened to Churches and civilisations that went this self same road to damnation!

Peter H Davies, Bonnells Bay, NSW, Australia	Tuesday, 06-Jul-2004 03:25:31 BST
Calm down and let the man get on with his vocation! One gay dean I know is one of the best pastors I have ever met, and a splendid priest. My wife agrees.

Les O'Leary, St Albans	Saturday, 17-Jul-2004 15:35:01 BST
Hey! Ease - up Steve of Leighton Buzzard, just because god doesn't exist doesn't mean believers are bad people or that churches don't do some very important and valuable work for communities here and around the world. Diversity is about building bridges to share common goals. This march was about homophobia as manifest through the National Front. Why should believers and non-believers not come together on this?

Michael Benac, Boston	Monday, 05-Jul-2004 19:41:15 BST
Wonderful news, makes me proud to be part of the Anglican Communion.

natalie, middlesbrough	Monday, 05-Jul-2004 13:21:11 BST
wow action in sleepy st albans - brilliant! ace report and nice to see so many sensible and accepting people turned out. x

Steve Makin, Leighton Buzzard	Sunday, 04-Jul-2004 23:22:44 BST
A message to the anti-fascist campaigners supporting the Dean of St.Albans. Surely you have your priorities wrong? Whatever his sexual preferences, he is a representative of a religion that has no place in civilised society. Ignore him, his church and his few followers, and let their lunatic beliefs fade away into history. There is no place for superstition and ignorance in the 21st century, so don't give them your support.

Judith M O'Leary, Manchester	Saturday, 03-Jul-2004 17:16:56 BST
Excellent coverage - congratulations to all involved. Canon Jeffrey John should have the support of all who espouse freedom. St Albans should party!

Les O'Leary, St Albans	Saturday, 03-Jul-2004 01:22:09 BST
Thanks for all the work - great pics, great report. Trebles all round

jean chamberlain, reading	Friday, 02-Jul-2004 20:43:01 BST
May Canon Jeffrey John be happy in St Albans.This was Reading's loss.

Reaction to appointment >>

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