Members of the Irish Presbyterian Church should be given a vote on same-sex marriage

IT is so very distressing to hear that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has decided to sever links with the Church of Scotland over same-sex issues. This has been compounded by its decision to deny full membership (access to the sacraments) to those in same-sex relationships, extending to the baptism of children of same-sex couples.

Regrettably, there is the fear that a schism will be created in the Church between the fundamentalists — the hell, sin and damnation wing — and those on the liberal wing, who preach tolerance and are committed to inclusivity.

It seems somewhat hypocritical for the General Assembly to encourage the two largest political parties to get back to talking at Stormont and resolve the issues that have created the political impasse, which, by implication, includes same-sex marriage, yet sever links with its brothers and sisters in the Church of Scotland over this issue.

If these collective decisions are representative of the views of the vast membership of PCI, across the 32 counties (and I don’t think that they are), the Church is declaring itself to be a cold house for homosexuals and that is clearly at odds with the command of Christ to love God and love your neighbour.

We may as well apply terms and conditions to membership, with the asterisk, *homosexuals need not apply.

For matters of such sensitivity, perhaps such decisions should be taken by the broad membership by some form of referendum. I would ask the Assembly to reconsider the policy and enter a period of consultation with the presbyteries and congregations.

Did Christ not say: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”? Sounds like the majority of delegates to the General Assembly missed that one.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITH EDITOR