U.K. Evangelicals Block Gay Bishop

A gay but celibate clergyman has been blocked from becoming the Bishop of the Southwark diocese in London -- for the second time.

Jeffrey John, the dean of St Albans, made the shortlist for the choice to run the Anglican diocese of Southwark. But when news leaked that the Church of England might appoint its first openly gay bishop, conservative evangelicals threatened to seek alternative leadership.

In 2003, John was forced to stand down from his appointment as suffragan bishop of Reading due to controversy over his being gay.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was reportedly set to back John's appointment. He previously opposed the appointment of a lesbian bishop in the U.S. Episcopal Church.

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