The Revd Gavin Ashenden resigned from his role as one of the Queen’s Honorary Chaplains due to his opposition to and desire to comment freely on matters such as the reading of the Qu’ran at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow in January.
He commented: ‘When I was confronted with attempts to silence me, my reaction was to ask “in what way is a priest defending the faith on behalf of a monarch who was Defender of the Faith, incongruous or improper?” Because I think it a [more] compelling duty to speak out on behalf of the faith, than to retain a public honour which precludes me doing so at this time, I resigned my post.’
The Cathedral is privately defending its decision, but saying nothing publicly beyond being aware that it has upset people.
