Pro-gay bishop snubbed in Kenya

The Rt Rev John Gladwin has been ostracised in Kenya

An Essex bishop travelling with 20 clergy in Africa has been ostracised by the head of the church in Kenya because of his liberal views on homosexuality.

The Rt Rev John Gladwin, Bishop of Chelmsford, was told he was no longer welcome after his views on gays were discovered by the local archbishop.

The group has been told hospitality has been "withdrawn".

The visit was to strengthen links first set up more than 20 years ago between four dioceses in Kenya and Chelmsford.

Bishop Gladwin was named this month as one of four new patrons of Changing Attitude, the campaigning group that aims at equality of opportunity for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the Anglican Church.

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The Anglican Church in Kenya is part of the "Global South" group opposed to a liberalisation of the Anglican Church's teaching about homosexuality.

The Archbishop of Kenya, the Most Rev Benjamin Nzimbi, said in a statement that the Kenyan Church was "unable to continue with advancing the lined-up activities with the diocese of Chelmsford".

The Rev Christopher Newlands, chaplain to Bishop Gladwin, and not part of the Kenya visit, said: "We are shocked but are trying to see what we can do to recover the planned programme and make the best possible use of their time out there.

"The group of curates with the bishop are experiencing the work of the church in Africa and are trying to build bridges between Chelmsford and four dioceses in East Africa so we are disappointed with the reaction.

"I hope that we can get over this misunderstanding and make clear our determination to carry forward the Lambeth Resolutions and to learn how God is at work in all his people in England and in Kenya.

"Bishop Gladwin is trying to meet Archbishop Nzimbi to explain what patronage of the Changing Attitude group means."

Bishop Gladwin was forced to cancel a Caribbean trip in 2005 because of his views on homosexual clerics.