Archbishop does a U-turn on gay relationships
28 August 2006- London- The
Archbishop of Canterbury has told homosexuals that they need to change
their behaviour if they are to be welcomed into the Church. Dr Rowan
Williams has distanced himself from his one-time liberal support of gay
relationships.
The declaration by the Archbishop
rebutting the idea that gays should be included in the church
unconditionally marks a significant development in the Church's crisis
over homosexuals.
According to liberal and gay
campaigners, it confirmed their fears that Dr Williams has become
increasingly conservative. Liberals who had previously hailed his
appointment said they are dismayed that he appears to have turned his
back on an agenda that he previously championed.
However, the archbishop's comments
have received strong support from traditionalists.
The Rev Rod Thomas, a spokesman for
the evangelical pressure group Reform, said: "There is no doubt that he
is distancing himself from the views that he has previously expressed.
He's right to want to see people converted. The fact that he's saying
this is a hugely welcome development."
The revelations came in a newspaper
interview last week in which the archbishop denied that it was time for
the Church to accept gay relationships, suggesting that it should be
welcoming rather than inclusive.
"I don't believe inclusion is a value
in itself. Welcome is. We don't say 'Come in and we ask no questions.' I
do believe conversion means conversion of habits, behaviours, ideas,
emotions," he told a Dutch journalist.
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