Church of England Bishop reveals he is gay, gets church support

UK: 53-year-old Bishop Rt Rev Nicholas Chamberlain, the bishop of Grantham on Friday came out  to announced he is gay ahead of a planned Sunday newspaper exposé making him the first in the Church of England to announce he is gay and in a same-sex relationship reports The SUN.

Chamberlain revealed that he was in a long-term celibate relationship with his partner but had not wanted to make a “big thing” about coming out.

“People know I’m gay, but it’s not the first thing I’d say to anyone. he said.

“Sexuality is part of who I am, but it’s my ministry that I want to focus on.”

Chamberlain said that he did not want to be known as “the gay bishop,” but said he said his relationship is “faithful” and “loving.”

Chamberlain added that;

“We are like-minded, we enjoy each other’s company and share each other’s life.”

Chamberlain was appointed Bishop in 2015 under the guidance of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Archbishop Welby has said he was aware that Chamberlain was gay and said that his appointment was made on the “basis of his skills” and calling to serve the church.

“He lives within the bishops’ guidelines and his sexuality is completely irrelevant to his office” Welby said.

Spokesman for the Church of England said;

“Nicholas has not misled anyone and has been open and truthful if asked.

“The matter is not secret, although it is private as is the case with all partnerships/relationships.”

They added that it would be unjust to reject someone as a bishop “if they conform with the church’s teachings on sexual ethics or other areas of personal life and discipline”.