Archbish puts earthly authority ahead of moral principle

Good on Green Party human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who as hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, following news that he is to attempt to force US bishops to backtrack on gay rights advances.

Photo: Flag flying on Sub Rooms in Stroud on recent Rainbow Day (see previous blogs for info)

Under pressure from conservative groups within the Anglican Communion, Williams is to ask the Americans to ban openly gay bishops and refuse to celebrate same-sex unions.

Peter Tatchell, who is the Green Party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Oxford East, said: "The Archbishop of Canterbury has betrayed his own principles and betrayed the gay community by caving in to pressure from the extreme right-wing of his church. He would not appease a racist or an anti-Semite cleric, so why is he appeasing homophobes within the Anglican Communion? He is allowing the church's agenda to be dictated by the voices of unreason and intolerance. By letting his concern for the unity of the Anglican Communion lead him to reward homophobic tantrums, Williams is putting his own earthly authority ahead of moral principle."