Speaking on RTE radio’s ‘The GOD SLOT’ this week Dr Elizabeth Butler, widow of Rt. Revd. Arthur Butler, a former Bishop of Connor, praised the Church of Ireland’s gay clergy.
Referring to gay clergy in the Church’s northern province she said, ”There was a memorial service for a gay clergyman not more than a couple of weeks ago. There were 400 plus people there, and he did more in his pastoral ministry than I believe could be achieved by the average clergyman”.
Dr Butler, who was a consultant at the Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast, is a contributor to a new book called “Moving Forward Together: Homosexuality and the Church of Ireland” edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerly and Dr Richard O’Leary. In the radio discussion she described her journey towards knowledge and acceptance of gay persons and said that “staying with a dedicated homosexual couple was an example of Christian life which I would love to be able to emulate”.
Following the civil partnership of Dean Tom Gordon last summer, the Church of Ireland has convened a special conference on ‘sexuality’ which will take place in County Cavan on 9th- 10th March.