International
I love hymn: Bishop of Grantham becomes FIRST in the Church of England to declare he’s in a gay relationship – and the Archbishop of Canterbury is happy as long as he remains celibate
Bishop of Grantham
Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain, 52, said he is in a ‘long term relationship’
He has become the first C of E bishop to declare he is in a gay relationship
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, 60, knew about his sexuality
He obeys Church guidelines which say gay clergy must remain celibate
The Bishop of Grantham has become the first in the Church of England to declare that he is in a gay relationship.
Nicholas Chamberlain, 52, has been with his partner for many years and added that they are in a ‘faithful’ and ‘loving’ relationship.
He was ordained last year by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, 60, who added that he was aware about his sexuality.
Bishop Chamberlain made the disclosure when he spoke to the Guardian and added that he didn’t want to make ‘a big thing’ about coming out.
Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain, 52, is currently in a long term and committed relationship
The Bishop of Grantham, Nicholas Chamberlain, was made suffragan in the Lincoln diocese last year
He was made suffragan in the Lincoln diocese in 2015 and obeys Church guidelines which say gay clergy must remain celibate and not marry.
The bishop told the newspaper: ‘It was not my decision 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. Sexuality is part of who I am, but it’s my ministry that I want to focus on.’
He said that both he and his partner ‘enjoy each other’s company’ and ‘share each other’s life’ during their ‘faithful’ and ‘loving’ relationship.
The bishop divulged the personal information after learning that details about his private life were going to be revealed by an unnamed Sunday newspaper.