St Andrews University has come under fire from a senior Episcopal clergyman over its decision to appoint a controversial theologian to a senior post.
The Rt Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow, is angered that his former university will in the autumn install Dr Tom Wright, the Bishop of Durham, into his new academic role despite his famous opposition to the ordination of gay clergy.
Mr Holdsworth, who is gay, criticised the move and said he felt “ashamed” at Scotland’s oldest seat of learning.
The priest has publicly expressed his unhappiness at the situation through his blog, where he reportedly wrote, “I’m so sad that my old college has announced that Tom Wright is to be appointed as professor of New Testament and Early Christianity.
“I don’t think it is to the credit of a modern university to appoint staff with such ghastly anti-gay views,” said Mr Holdsworth who studied divinity in the Fife town.
In objection to the recent appointment, Mr Holdsworth has called on fellow graduates to take a hard line stance.
“St Andrews University writes to me regularly asking for money.
“The answer from now on could not be clearer. No extra funding for a university that appoints anti-gay figures to prominent positions.
“I hope other alumni will keep their hands firmly in their pockets and when the call comes for money, just say no,” he said.
The Bishop of Durham was invited to respond but he was unavailable for comment.
The university defended its position and stressed it has among the most open, inclusive, diverse and tolerant communities of staff and students anywhere in the world.Proud”We are enormously proud of our record as a progressive employer and are utterly committed providing a work and study environment free from discrimination,” said a spokesman.
“Tom Wright is regarded as one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars.
“The charges made by the Rt Rev Holdsworth are unsubstantiated and unfair and, as a matter of simple fact, Bishop Wright is fully supportive of and committed to our policies on preventing discrimination.
“Like every committed believer, whether they are Presbyterian, Roman Catholic or Muslim, Tom Wright, as an Anglican, will inevitably be associated with the official views identified with his religious affiliation.
“If we were to exclude all such people, then universities would become highly exclusive-when they ought to be the one place where differing views can be freely held, expressed and challenged.
“We are greatly looking forward to welcoming Tom to our community in September.”
Opinion on the matter has been split on the university’s own alumni network page on Facebook.
One post, by Deirdre Good, read, “I regard this appointment as unfortunate and injudicious.”
Dr Wright starts his new post in September.