THE BISHOP of Blackburn received a standing ovation after he tackled the issue of gay clergy in a last 'state of union' speech before retirement.
But the Rt Rev Alan Chesters did not waver from an official Church of England point of view -- which permits homosexual relationships among lay people but not in the clergy.
The bishop gave the speech to 100 members of the Blackburn Diocesan Synod at Bishop Rawstorne Language College in Croston, Chorley.
He has been Bishop of Blackburn since 1989 and is retiring in August.
The Bishop said: "There are serious issues facing the Church of England and the Anglican Communion concerning authority, focused presently on the proper pastoral care for those of homosexual orientation.
"Divergent views are held and expressed with passion, and recent episcopal appointments in Oxford Diocese and in New Hampshire in the USA have delighted some puzzled others and left some very distressed."
Gay Bishop Dr Jeffrey John was appointed Bishop of Reading earlier this year. He has acknowledged a gay relationship but is now sexually abstinent.
His appointment was greeted with disgust by Evangelical Christian groups.
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