Six short reports including – C of I would back Cardinal O’Brien’s stance
C of I cleric says C of I would back Cardinal O’Brien’s stance
News Letter – Canon Ian Ellis says members of his denomination would “typically” take the same position as a Roman Catholic cardinal who describes gay marriage as “an aberration”. Canon Ellis who is editor of the Church of Ireland Gazette, was speaking after the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland launched a fresh attack on Government plans for same-sex marriages. “Cardinal [Keith] O’Brien’s position is fairly typical of the position of the Church of Ireland,” said Canon Ellis. “I don’t envisage marriage being redefined within the Church of Ireland.” He said Archbishop Alan Harper set out the denomination’s position on sexuality last autumn, which “only approves and affirms sexual relationships within marriage” and “outside marriage advocates abstinence”. Canon Ellis said the aim of this weekend’s conference is to “inform the mind” of the church synod, which meets in May. While the conference itself cannot change church policy, its discus sions may – or may not – lead to a change in church policy by the synod. “The Church of Ireland takes a traditional view that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Canon Ellis said. “The discussion that will take place is on whether or not the church should bless civil partnerships and same-sex relationships in general. There is a very clear division.”
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/coi-backs-cardinal-in-gay-marriage-row-1-3591384