This was just pointed out to me:

It is no doubt possible to devise a service which isn’t, technically and legally, a ‘service of blessing’, but which is so in all but name, and which the wider world will see straightforwardly as a ‘gay wedding’. I am bound to say that I regard the creation of such services as exhibiting a serious lack of integrity. Equally, though the Bishops do not wish to legislate for what happens in private pastoral situations, the intent of the Guidelines (to avoid any appearance of sanctioning ‘gay weddings’) should not be flouted in spirit any more than in letter. I shall be very sorry if members of the clergy, by holding ‘services of blessing’ or near equivalent, force me to make disciplinary enquiries….

Like most bishops, I have not up to now thought it my business to ask such questions of the clergy in my care. But if clergy decide to enter a Civil Partnership they are thereby putting me in a new situation in which my own integrity as diocesan bishop, and my collegial position within the House of Bishops, strongly suggest that I should follow the process thus recommended. This would not (as is sometimes suggested) be ‘intrusive’ or ‘invasive’, but the proper exercise of pastoral oversight. I fully understand that some people feel bound in conscience to disobey the clear and official teaching of the Church on these matters. I trust that the Diocese will respect my own conscience as its bishop, acting as its chief pastor and teacher of the faith (and as someone who has had to exercise international responsibilities in related matters), if with reluctance I am forced, by those who decide to go this route, to change my practice to meet the new situation.

Thinking about what is ahead for the Bishop, I can’t help but wonder if we aren’t going to see a sudden reduction of his writings as he gets embroiled in some major battles in Anglican politics. I almost wonder if this explains why he was elevated (a pure speculation based on nothing but my conspiratorial imagination).

And it pains me to realize that, if Wright’s convictions turn his life into such a battlefield that nothing more gets written, that not only will all the Liberal skeptics be rejoicing, but so will a pack of ignorant reactionary Evangelicals.

Truly sad.