'Gays can have their sexuality changed'

Nov 7 2003 David Holmes Chester Chronicle

'Does the Church stand up against society and say basically you are wrong, the world would be a happier and healthier place if people confined sexual activity to marriage, or should it adjust to social and secular pressures?' he asked. 'That's what the debate centres around - and I am on the former side of that.

'I see sexual activity as intimately bound up with marriage and the nurture of children and the long-term commitment that marriage involves.

'The debate within the Church of England is, even if you take that relatively traditional view, what about those who are gay? For them, marriage is not an option. Should an exception be made for those in long-term homosexual partnerships?'

On this latter question, Bishop Forster claims to take a tolerant approach towards those who find themselves 'drawn' into homosexual relationships.

And he believes society should value friendship between people of the same sex. However, when such a relationship becomes a sexual one, it crosses the line.

Indeed, he accepts there are gay clergy in the Chester diocese - but he presumes they are not practising, in line with current Church policy.

That's why he signed a letter opposing the appointment of Dr Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading - because Dr John had stated he was in favour of full equality for practising homosexuals. Dr John decided not to take up his appointment.

Summing up his position, Bishop Forster called the debate a balancing act.

'To ordain people who are actively gay or actively heterosexual outside of marriage would undermine the ideal,' he said.

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