I enjoyed Jean Calder's Comment (The Argus, May 17) about Bishop Gene Robinson and found myself in agreement with her assessment of this prophetic Ammerican bishop.

Like his British namesake Bishop John AT Robinson, he has been "honest to God" and the church over his sexuality.

However, what intrigues me most as both a committed Christian and gay man is the silence and lack of response to Ms Calder's excellent article.

I am thinking of the not disproportionate number of gay clerics and laypeople living in Brighton (not all Anglicans or Anglo-Catholics). I wondered how they felt about Bishop Robinson. Or have they all been told to "keep a discreet distance and silence" in the run-up to the Lambeth conference?

As both an ecumenical and Evangelical Christian I was deeply moved some time ago to read of Bishop Robinson saying: "When I go to speak to secular gay audiences I don't talk about church politics, I speak to them about Jesus."

This was refreshing and in contrast to much that has been reported about Bishop Robinson.

So Praise the Lord for Bishop Gene Robinson and Jean Calder.

  • Michael Blades, Methodist local preacher, Worthing

I find it surprising that Jean Calder appears to have had no feedback from readers concerning her highly contentious article about the American bishop Gene Robinson.

She calls him her hero, but he is certainly not mine. This is a man who has put his sexuality before his wife, his children, his church and his faith. He seems to be incapable of acting with any sort of self-restraint.

His actions have brought the Anglican church to the point of a permanent split between the traditionalists and the liberals and unless there is divine intervention, a great pillar of the state could come crashing down.

For a bishop to show such a lack of concern for God's people is almost beyond understanding.

I suggest all Christians should be praying for his repentance.

  • Alan Nunn, Pipers Close, Hove