An Anglican vicar has branded as "misjudged" the nomination of a homosexual clergyman for the prestigious post of Bishop of Reading.

The Reverend Terry Stratford, vicar of St Andrew's Church, Ferring, made his views known in the latest edition of his parish magazine, arguing Canon Jeffrey John's initial acceptance of the job had been naive.

Canon John later announced he would not be taking up the job following a worldwide outcry that threatened to split the Anglican church.

Mr Stratford wrote: "Richard Harries, the Bishop of Oxford, is not a fool. Indeed, he is a very experienced and respected diocesan bishop and greatly admired for his gifts as a religious broadcaster.

"How then did he manage to so spectacularly mishandle the appointment of a new suffragan bishop for his diocese?

"Surely he must have realised the effect of his nominating Canon Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading.

"The appointment of someone who, on his own admission had been in an active same-sex relationship for 20 years, was bound to cause a furore not only in his diocese but in the wider church as well."

Mr Stratford questioned whether the Bishop of Oxford had been "bounced" into making the appointment, which flew in the face of Anglican policy.

He also wondered whether Downing Street had had a hand in the appointment.

He said it was a great concern that bishops who had written in protest at Mr John taking up his post had been dismissed as "homophobic evangelicals".

He said: "What the Bible teaches us about homosexuality may well be open to interpretation.

"However, while the Church reflects further on the issue, the present consensus of opinion in the Church, about the basic complementary nature of the relationship between men and women in creation, should be adhered to.

"The nomination of Jeffrey John was simply jumping the gun.

"There are many ordained people who, like Jeffrey John, have "a bit of history", be it heterosexual or homosexual. After repentance and reconciliation they continue to exercise their priesthood.

"The only proper approach for priests in such circumstances is thankfulness for an ongoing ministry and humility to accept that senior appointment in the Church, particularly to the office of bishop, is closed to them.

"Jeffrey John's withdrawal of his acceptance was unavoidable, the original invitation was misjudged and the acceptance of it naive."