While commenting that the Church of England has imposed compulsory celibacy on gay clergy, Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, says it is time for the Anglican Communion to recognize the changed attitudes toward gay people

The prominent historian is caling for the Church of England to accept gay partnerships among its clergy, instead of encouraging them to hide their sexuality or remain celibate.

MacCulloch, professor of the history of the church at the University of Oxford and presenter of BBC4′s A History of Christianity, writes in the Guardian that while there has been a revolution in attitudes towards gay people in the UK, “the church has just stuck its fingers in its ears and chanted la-la-la”. He asks: “When will the Church of England wake up to what has become apparent to the rest of the nation?”

His comments come nearly a week after it was revealed that Jeffrey John, the most senior openly gay cleric in the church, was considering suing his employers for discrimination.