The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie, admitted in a radio interview that he has knowingly ordained practising homosexuals. When asked if he had knowingly ordained a practising homosexual Lord Runcie said "Yes", but when on to clarify:"I have not knowingly ordained anyone who told me they were a practising homosexual and were living in partnership with somebody as if it was a marriage." Lord Runcie said he once halted an ordination when he discovered that this was the case, although his decision then was influenced by "the deceit with which I had been treated." He went on to explain"On the other hand, there have been times in my ministry when I have acted in a 'don't-want-to-know-and why-should-I-inquire?' way; and I never like the prospect of inquiring into what happened in a man's bedroom unless he was prepared to tell me."

The former archbishop also spoke about the compromise reached in the House of Bishops' document - Issues in Human Sexuality - whereby "officially the line is that nobody can be ordained who engages in genital sexual activity, and yet you can be a member of the Church if you do. Now stated thus crudely it is ...ludicrous."

The former bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd Hugh Montefoire, was more direct and admitted to ordaining practising homosexuals but told those he ordained that they must be discreet. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Revd Jim Thompson, admitted to ordaining many homosexual priests; though, "I, like other bishops, have subscribed to the view that at the moment we would not ordain people whom we knew to be in physical homosexual relationships"..."But of course, you then have to ask yourself the question as to what lengths you are willing to go to establish that two friends are in a physical homosexual relationship."