It seems to the layman that in the Church of England we often hear from our priests doctrine which is not Anglican Christianity. . . . It is not, of course, for me to define to you what Anglican Christianity is . . . But I insist that wherever you draw the lines, bounding lines must exist, beyond which your doctrine will cease either to be Anglican or Christian: and I suggest that the lines come a great deal sooner than many modern priests think. I think it is your duty to fix the lines clearly in your minds: and if you wish to go beyond them you must change your profession.
This is your duty not specially as Christians or as priests but as honest men. . . . Men who have passed beyond these boundary lines in either direction are apt to protest that they have come by their unorthodox opinions honestly. In defense of those opinions they are prepared to suffer obloquy and to forfeit professional advancement. . . . But this simply misses the point which so gravely scandalizes the layman. We never doubted that the unorthodox opinions were honestly held: what we complain of is your continuing your ministry after you have come to hold them. We always knew that a man who makes his living as a paid agent of the Conservative Party may honestly change his views and honestly become a Communist. What we deny is that he can honestly continue to be a Conservative agent and to receive money from one party while he supports the policy of another.
I first read this quote over forty years ago, and it has formed my opinion of some of my radical colleagues ever since. I understand what they're saying, and while I disagree with it, I don't think them bad people for their opinions. Nevertheless, they forfeit a great deal of my respect for continuing to take money under false pretenses. They are paid by those who think they will teach them one faith, but they are teaching another. The fact that they think the new faith will be better for those they teach is irrelevant. It's just plain dishonesty. Have the integrity to resign or seek a body in which your opinions are officially countenanced.
That goes double for bishops.