by Nathan Foster

Canon Widdecombe

Canon Malcolm Widdecombe is the Anglican Vicar of St Philip and St Jacob Church, Old Market, Bristol. The church is known locally as 'Pip 'n Jays.' Old Market is the area of Bristol where a gay village is beginning to establish itself.

Canon Widdecombe distributed the IFB petition in his church and supports is aims. He is the brother of the Shadow Home Secretary, Anne Widdecombe, who share much of his moral outlook and, we read, they are close.

The petition came to light when someone showed it to the owner of a local gay-friendly café, who then alerted friends in the gay community. There was an immediate outcry against its homophobic and inaccurate contents. The café owner was told that the reason for the petition was the increased gay presence in the area. Canon Widdecombe denies that this was the reason why he was encouraging his congregation to gather signatures.

Berkley Burchell from the Aled Richard's Trust (an HIV/AIDS charity in Bristol) said the petition was part of a campaign against homosexuals by Canon Widdecombe.

Donald Branch, Chief Executive of the trust said; "This petition only serves to increase inequalities against the gay community. This argument is false and totally out of date. The Church is saying that it is OK to be homosexual so long as you don't have sex. Its completely ridiculous. Young gay men have often been bullied at school because of their sexuality and are isolated in society. This is just another kicking in the name of God."

Interviewed in a local paper, Canon Widdecombe said, "I am not a maverick, there are many people in the Church of England who agree with me. As a minister of the Gospel I believe the Bible which teaches that there is only one context for sexual intercourse and that is within heterosexual marriage. We are all sinners, as Christians we offer Christ's message of forgiveness, wholeness and restitution. If people don't want it we don't ram it down their throats."