Religious Left

John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, is a long-standing champion of gay rights in the church and recently caused controversy by criticising the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, over his attempts to find a compromise with conservative elements in the Anglican communion. As well as backing gay clergy, he claims the Virgin Mary may have been a rape victim, believes Jesus was married and says the resurrection should not be taken literally. Bishop Spong will speak on Thursday at 7.30pm at St Mark's Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace. Tickets are £10, obtainable by contacting info@pcnetworkbritain.org.uk

Sept. 6, 2007 Dear Rowan, I am delighted that you have agreed to meet with the House of Bishops of the American Episcopal Church in September, even if you appear to be unwilling to come alone. It has seemed strange that you, who have had so much to say about the American Church, have not been willing to do so before now. Your office is still honored by Episcopalians in this country, so our bishops will welcome you warmly and politely. We have some amazingly competent men and women in that body, many of whom have not yet met you. There is clearly an estrangement between that body and you in your role as the Archbishop of Canterbury. I want to share with you my understanding of the sources of that estrangement. First, I believe that most of our senior bishops, including me, were elated, at your appointment by Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair. Most Americans are not aware that yours is an appointed, not an elected position. Those of us who knew you were keenly aware of yo...