Church proves its arrogance

I READ with interest the letter, “Churches guilty of arrogance” (Write Back, April 2), where your correspondent poses questions regarding abuse, arrogance and intransigence in the Church.

As far as the Presbyterian Church that I belong to is concerned, my answer to all those questions is a resounding “Yes”.

During the election of elders, in June 2018, the code and procedure of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) were ignored and discarded, because the minister did not want at least one of the candidates to become an elder. With the backing of the presbytery, he got his way.

When the elderly Clerk of Session “dared” to ask the presbytery why the code and proper procedures had not been adhered to, he was removed from the eldership of the presbytery commission after a series of interviews and questions, which can only amount to abuse and bullying, in an attempt by those members of the presbytery to deflect from their own failings.

He appealed that decision to the Judicial Commission of the PCI, but they did not even consider his appeal, thereby denying him basic justice.

When the congregation signed a petition to have their elder and clerk of session reinstated, that, too, was completely ignored. The high-handed and intransigent attitude of these clergy speaks volumes.

The blatant injustice of it all has caused hurt, frustration and disquiet and resulted in empty pews and financial shortfall — not to mention a loss of faith in the Christian message of love and compassion. DISILLUSIONED PRESBYTERIAN (Name and address with Editor)