News Letter – The Church of Ireland is arguably the most liberal of the mainstream Protestant churches on this island, but on certain issues like same-sex marriage the church does maintain a traditional scriptural stance similar to that adopted by the Presbyterian, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches.
The general synod of the Church of Ireland began in Armagh yesterday and on the agenda for the 600 delegates is human sexuality, an issue which has led to much intense debate.
A minority of clergy and laity, mostly based in the Republic, advocate that the church should take what they see as a much more inclusive position on homosexuality and some would even be prepared to give their blessing to same-sex marriage within the context of the church’s procedures.
It is highly unlikely that in the foreseeable future a majority within the Church of Ireland would be prepared to tread this path, but the matter keeps coming up and bishops have approved the setting up of a body named as a select committee of human sexuality in the context of Christian belief.
The purpose is to enable a listening, dialogue and learning process, coupled with a degree of compassion and understanding of those of a different sexual orientation, but a reversal of the position adopted by the church for centuries is not going to happen.
The Church primate Archbishop Richard Clarke, meanwhile, in his keynote general synod address has focused on the pressing problem of child deprivation, in the two parts of Ireland.
Dr Clarke is keen to involve the church more in addressing the needs of children in distress today and, alarmingly, he cites confirmation from the Barnardo’s charity that 100,000 children live in poverty in Northern Ireland today.
Quite compassionately, he points out: “We cannot remain detached in any part of this island to any child’s suffering.”
The church, by its calling, should always be a barometer and a facilitator for righting wrongs in our society. The archbishop has highlighted a social disparity that must not be ignored.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/church-of-ireland-seeks-to-portray-level-of-understanding-1-5078470