Yesterday the News Letter stated it had learned that what it described as “disillusioned conservative and evangelical members of the Church of Ireland” are planning their own meeting next week.
The report contained the following:
The meeting, to be held in Northern Ireland on Monday, is to be addressed by a visiting bishop from outside Ireland, as some parishes become increasingly unhappy at the Irish bishops’ leadership.
A representative of the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy declined to comment on the statement.
But Changing Attitude Ireland, which is campaigning for the Church of Ireland to accept gay partnerships, welcomed the move.
Secretary Canon Charles Kenny said: “Changing Attitude Ireland are happy to hear that the bishops are committing themselves to listening and speaking openly about these complicated issues.
“It is our hope and prayer that churchmen and women will respond to this call for serious and thoughtful seeking out of the mind of Christ for our day. We hope that the atmosphere at the proposed conference will make it possible for gay and lesbian church people, lay and clerical, to participate honestly in the discussion about human sexuality.”
Canon Ian Ellis, editor of The Church of Ireland Gazette, said: “Ultimately, the law of the church is decided by the general synod but I see the envisaged conference as enabling a wider and more face-to-face discussion among those of differing views than has been the case until now. The conference will in turn inform the mind of the general synod, assuming that the general synod will be asked to consider the issue.
“Some people will be relieved that there now is some space, but others wanted a clearer outcome from the residential meeting. However, we’ve got what we’ve got, and that is the start of a process that will be focused and will not be slow.
“While the conference is not due to be held until the spring, the intervening time clearly will allow for a proper preparatory process. I trust that the Gazette will be seen as a useful medium for the expression of all points of view and thereby make its own contribution.”