I worry that "educated" guesses by the media, especially the Telegraph, are signals to those who oppose gay bishops and gay-friendly bishops to complain loudly and weaken the chances of the appointments. I'd be pleased if Jeffrey John went to Durham and Alan Wilson to Manchester. I know Jeffrey only by reputation, but I have met Alan, and I think both men would make fine diocesan bishops. Two such appointments would be good news for the Church of England. We'll see.
The panel, which met on Friday, was told that the successor to the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, who retired earlier this year, should build on “significant engagement” with “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities” in Manchester.
The move comes amid growing tensions within the Church over its attitude to gay worshippers and clergy.
Such a public endorsement of working with gay Anglicans by a major diocese will cheer liberals but be seen by traditionalists as a further erosion of their views.
....
As a result of the change Dr Jeffrey John, the openly gay Dean of St Albans, has been widely tipped for consideration as Bishop of Durham, a move which would catapult him into the third most senior post in the Church of England, and one held until recently by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby.
....
Among those who could be considered for the role [in Manchester] is the Bishop of Buckingham, Dr Alan Wilson, one of the most prominent Church figures to speak publicly in favour of gay marriage.
A junior bishop in the Diocese of Oxford for 10 years, he would have the experience and profile to take over a diocese the size of Manchester.
