Bishops married to divorcees 'pose serious challenge to traditionalist Anglicans'

The announcement that Rev Nicholas Holtam is to become the first clergyman married to a divorcee to be made a bishop raises serious questions for traditionalist Anglicans.
By Rev John Richardson
 13 Apr 2011

The announcement from Downing Street that the Revd Nicholas Holtam, currently vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, has been nominated as the next Bishop of Salisbury poses great challenges for traditionalist Anglicans here and abroad, but it also raises serious questions about the functioning of the Crown Nominations Commission, responsible for choosing Anglican bishops.

There have been rumours about Mr Holtam’s appointment for some time, principally because he is married to a divorcee. Oddly enough, although the Church of England imposes certain restrictions on clerical ordination for those in that situation, there was no clarity about the consecration of bishops. At the last General Synod, however, such clarification was urgently sought and the suspicions of many people as to why seem now to have been confirmed. the rest

Church of England's 'rising star' becomes first bishop married to a divorcee
A vicar has become the first Church of England clergyman married to a divorcee to be made a bishop amid strong opposition from traditionalists.

The Rev Nicholas Holtam, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, has been approved by the Queen to take up the post of Bishop of Salisbury.

He was strongly tipped for promotion after changes in Church rules allowed divorced and remarried clergy to be consecrated as bishops...