Hate
mail 'astounds' gay canon
2 June 2004
Read
the details here
LGCM ACTION ALERT 12 September 2003
You may have heard that Manchester Cathedral Chapter, with the support of the
Bishop’s Senior Staff, told us on 3rd September that LGCM was no longer
welcome to hold a service to conclude the Halfway to Lambeth conference in the
Cathedral on 26th October 2003
The reason given to us by the Cathedral for the cancellation, in their words
reads "(we do) so in the light of sensitivities and timing in relation to the
current debates in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion."
But as recently as three weeks ago we were having amicable conversations with
the Cathedral and there was no hint of this imminent abrupt volte face. A
very good letter to The Times (London) this week sums up the situation
excellently "I hope that, one day, the Bishop of Manchester and the Dean and Chapter of
Manchester Cathedral, who reversed their welcome to the Lesbian and Gay
Christian Movement, may hold their heads in shame. Their rescinding of the
arrangement made in good faith many months ago has the smell of cowardice. The gay
issues which they fear would be reawakened were high in the news when their offer
of hospitality was made."
Please write and protest. [Many have done so already - for which thanks]
The Cathedral were undoubtedly pressurised by the Bishop of Manchester but
this does not exonerate the Cathedral from its totally unjustified failure of
nerve, grave discourtesy and lack of Christian hospitality.
Be assured that we will be holding a service in Manchester City Centre on
26th October. Details will be posted on this website. Please try and
attend – even if you do not come to the rest of the conference, which, by
the way, you can still register for! If you want to see some of the
reactions to the Cathedral’s decision visit
http://www.dwsolo.com/openletter.htm.
This site has been created by an LGCM member, David Solomons who has
resigned from the Cathedral and Choir in disgust at the decision.
Thank you for your support.
Richard Kirker (Rev)
General Secretary
Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement [LGCM]