Church of England bishop becomes first cleric to declare he is in a gay relationship

Nicolas Chamberlain, the Bishop of Grantham has become the first
Church of England bishop to publicly declare that he is gay and in
a relationship. The Bishop who said his sexuality has not been a
secret was forced to go public after a newspaper threatened to
reveal his orientation.
Speaking with the Guardian in an exclusive interview he said:
“People know I’m gay, but it’s not the first thing I’d say to anyone.
Sexuality is part of who I am, but it’s my ministry that I want to
focus on.”
He disclosed that his superiors including the archbishop of
Canterbury who is the leader of the Anglican church worldwide
knew of his sexuality. “I was myself. Those making the
appointment knew about my sexual identity” he said.
Chamberlain said he adhered to church guidelines, under which
gay clergy must be celibate and are not permitted to marry. In the
appointments process, “We explored what it would mean for me
as a bishop to be living within those guidelines,” he said.
In a statement, Welby said: “I am and have been fully aware of
Bishop Nick’s long-term, committed relationship. His appointment
as bishop of Grantham was made on the basis of his skills and
calling to serve the church in the diocese of Lincoln. He lives
within the bishops’ guidelines and his sexuality is completely
irrelevant to his office.”