Reading may not get a bishop at all

A senior clergyman has reportedly warned that Reading may not get a bishop after the recently appointed Canon Jeffrey John was forced to withdraw from the post amid angry protests over his homosexuality.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Richard Harries, is allegedly so angered that Canon John was pushed to resign his appointment as Bishop of Reading by opposers within the Church of England, that he is threatening to leave the post empty.

Dr John, who has openly admitted to being gay but claims he is celibate, resigned following a six-hour emergency meeting at Lambeth Palace with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Bishop Harries, who was in hospital for a hip operation yesterday, allegedly said that leaving the post of Bishop of Reading vacant is one of a number of options he is considering.