London priest who supported lesbian faces disciplinary complaint
Fr Robert Thompson, the priest who leads the Open Table London community
A COMPLAINT has been made against the leader of the Open Table London community, who supported a young woman ousted from a lay leadership position at a neighbouring church, after she came out as a lesbian. Our Coordinator Kieran Bohan responds:
The Open Table Network (OTN) is an organisation which supports LGBTQIA+ people who are looking for safe spaces to worship God within a safe Christian ethos.
We are aware of, and saddened by, the situation surrounding Rachel Gillingham’s recent experiences, and of the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) brought against Father Robert Thompson while he attempts to support her.
OTN’s existence bears witness to the fact that churches and church-plantings (of any denomination) which do not embrace LGBTQIA+ people can cause great pain. Our focus, as ever, is not on blame; it is about being present for all those LGBTQIA+ people who find themselves marginalised or rejected for being who and what God made them to be.
Father Thompson’s church, St James’ West Hampstead, hosts an Open Table worshipping community. Knowing that he cannot comment during the duration of his C.D.M. we quote here what he wrote in February 2020 about his ongoing pastoral work:
I would say that about 50% of my direct pastoral work comes from Open Table. I have been really very deeply shocked about how many people have had such dreadfully hurtful experiences, and have been to varying degrees quite damaged by really awful religion. Extremely sad. But glad that some find a space and community here to help in recuperation and restoration.
