Church blocks gay cleric

An openly gay cleric has been blocked from becoming a Church of England bishop, amid fears the controversial ordination could have further strained the Anglican movement, reports said.

Jeffrey John had been tipped to become Bishop of Southwark, in London, after making the shortlist with strong support from the local diocese, said the Times and Daily Telegraph.

But a selection committee, which included Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams - the head of the 77 million Anglicans across the globe - rejected calls for John's ordination, said the newspapers.

John, the Dean of St Albans, entered a civil partnership in 2006 but lives a celibate life.