The Rev. David Holloway, the senior minister of Jesmond Parish, believes the Church of England\u2019s Clergy Discipline Measure will not apply in this case. Ecclesiastical lawyers are studying the case, and it is not yet clear what their response will be.<\/p>\n
The Rt. Rev. Rod Thomas, appointed as Bishop of Maidstone to work with conservative evangelicals, is reserving his opinion.<\/p>\n
The action in Jesmond caught GAFCON by surprise. Except for a conversation with GAFCON\u2019s general secretary, the Most Rev. Peter Jensen, Jesmond\u2019s statement makes plain there was no consultation with GAFCON\u2019s primates. A week earlier, GAFCON\u2019s primates stated their intention to send a missionary bishop to the United Kingdom amid conservative concerns about the state of the Church of England.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Jensen confirmed it was entirely independent of GAFCON. \u201cBut it does show, I think, that the situation in England is becoming very difficult for those who hold the traditional and biblical view.\u201d<\/p>\n