BRITAIN: Downing Street was accused of attempting "to make homosexuality mainstream in the Church of England" last night after confirming the appointment of gay canon Dr Jeffrey John as the next Dean of St Alban's.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, hit back, however, saying they were "determined to deal with a delicate issue in a sensitive way which reflects the consensus of opinion from the diocese, the bishop and the church hierarchy".
And leading figures lined up to applaud Dr John's appointment to one of the church's most senior positions, following his withdrawal of his candidacy as Bishop of Reading in a storm of controversy last summer.
As Number 10 confirmed Queen Elizabeth's approval of the appointment, the Dean of Southwark, the Rev Colin Slee, said it had been made in accordance with the proper and agreed processes of the church.
Following the ordination of the openly gay Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire in the United States, traditionalists warned the latest development would bring the break-up of the Anglican Church closer.
Evangelical commentator Mr David Virtue said: "This is an outrageous appointment. It is a backdoor attempt to make homosexuality mainstream in the Church of England."
The Rev David Holloway from Newcastle insisted "the Bible is crystal clear - sex is for heterosexual, monogamous marriage".
However, the Bishop of St Alban's, the Right Rev Christopher Herbert, said of Dr John: "He is an intelligent, courageous priest, who will follow a long line of superb deans and bring to the abbey a wide range of gifts. He is a man of prayer, a preacher and teacher of real authority and grace."
Dr John told a press conference yesterday he supported "the church and the state offering gay people a framework of living their lives" and hoped "that ultimately the church will be able to bless that kind of relationship too". However, he added that he would not be "attempting to do anything in the abbey which goes against the canons of the Church of England".
He added: "It's an inclusive place with a tradition of welcoming everybody, whoever they are and whatever label is attached to them - something for which I have every reason to be grateful. In the end what matters here and everywhere is that we bring people home to God . . . "