While many of us awaited word on the delicate issues being discussed at the House of Bishops' meeting at Kanuga last month [TLC, March 26], some Church of England bishops were dealing with far more sensitive issues. The most prominent was the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev. David Hope, who called a press conference to reveal implied threats from a group known as Outrage, a gay rights group in England.

It all began last November as members of General Synod arrived for their fall meeting and found Outrage members standing on the steps of Church House in London with banners that named 10 allegedly homosexual bishops. Outrage members handed out a letter which accused the 10 of hypocrisy because some of those bishops supported the church's ban on gay and lesbian priests. Bishop Hope was not among the 10 bishops accused, but he would be confronted by Outrage soon enough.

In his press conference, Bishop Hope recalled being visited in January by Peter Tatchell, the leader of Outrage, who handed him a letter which alleges that the bishop is widely understood to be gay, that "Outrage has been passed a lot of detailed information about your personal life," and that he should "voluntarily" disclose his homosexuality.

In the meantime, the Rt. Rev. Derek Rawcliffe, retired Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, had announced on national television that he was homosexual [TLC, April 2], and that he had been "quite unfair to those of my clergy who were gay."

Bishop Hope had a statement of his own in his press conference. "I have from the beginning chosen to lead a single, celibate life," he said. "This is a positive way for me. I am happy and content with and within myself. I enjoy the company of both men and women."

He added that "some people are quite clear that they are homosexual or that they are heterosexual; others are less sure. There is a certain ambiguity about it. I think that is where I stand. I still take the view that sexual acts are for within marriage. Outside of marriage I still feel those are not acceptable."

We probably haven't heard the last of Outrage. Mr. Tatchell told the London Times he was in contact with three other bishops who were under increasing pressure to come out. "Two down, three to go," he said.

The primates of the Anglican Communion, who were meeting nearby in Windsor [TLC, April 2], showed support for Bishop Hope in a letter which all signed.

"In light of news reports that have reached us, we express to you our solidarity in deploring this reprehensible intrusion into your private life," the letter said. "We assure you as a body that we stand against this kind of provocation. You have our deepest affection and prayerful support."

One has to admire Bishop Hope for his openness in dealing with a pressure group and with a private matter. His honest answers should show bishops both here and in England that they can deal with the topic in a sincere and forthright manner.

DAVID KALVELAGE, editor