Bishop Reprimanded by Police but Not Charged for Suggesting Reorientation Therapy for Homosexuals

LONDON, November 14, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com)  The Rt. Rev Dr Peter Forster, the Anglican Bishop of Chester, was given a police reprimand for suggesting that some homosexuals may benefit from reorientation therapy. UK police seriously considered charging the bishop under hate crime legislation.  The statement made by the bishop, which was considered so offensive, was “Some people who are primarily homosexual can reorientate themselves. I would encourage them to consider that as an option, but I would not set myself up as a medical specialist on the subject – that’s in the area of psychiatric health.”  The bishop’s statement was made after studying the issue for 18 months while assisting in writing the Church of England report Some Issues in Human Sexuality – A Guide to Debate.  Chief Constable of Cheshire Police Peter Fahy said that Rev. Forster needed “to justify himself”.  Church Times reports that on Monday, Fahy said: “He [the Bishop] has got his own personal view, and I’m sure his comments are based on very strong personal religious conviction. But I do think we need to remind ourselves how this translates. I think in a civilized society that is totally unacceptable.”  The Crown Prosecution Service, to which police had forwarded their initial investigations, ruled Monday that no action would be taken.  Rev. David Marshall, communications officer for Chester diocese, said on Monday that the Bishop stood by the content of the interview, though he felt that the headline “Bishop tells gays to seek a cure” had been inflammatory.  See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:  UK Anglican Bishop under Police Investigation for Encouraging Some Homosexuals to Seek Reorientation Therapy https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/nov/03111003.html   See the Church Times coverage:  https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/templates/NewsTemplate_1.asp?recid=2205&table=news&bimage=news&issue=7341&count=0