Members of the Church in Wales may be anxious not to exacerbate existing tensions over the issue. A senior source close to the election told The Times: \u201cOne member of the college is going to put Jeffrey John\u2019s name forward. It will be a very close thing.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Another Church in Wales insider said: \u201cHe has a good pastoral record. He might well be considered.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The Rev Giles Fraser, Vicar of St Mary\u2019s Putney, a friend of Dr John and founder of the Inclusive Church lobby that champions the gay cause, said: \u201cJeffrey John would make an absolutely splendid bishop. This is not before time. This is a man who does not contravene the guidelines on human sexuality at all.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
But in a joint statement, Canon Chris Sugden and Philip Giddings, of Anglican Mainstream, the conservative lobby set up in response to Dr John\u2019s appointment to Reading, said: \u201cIf he is being nominated to a Welsh episcopate, the obstacles remain the same as to his previous candidacies for senior appointments.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n