Free Presbyterians: ‘We are encouraged to hear that Stormont can amend abortion and same sex marriage laws’
A Free Presbyterian delegation led by the Moderator Rev Gordon Dane met with the minister of state Robin Walker this week over the issues of abortion and same sex marriage.
In the meeting the church delegation was able to put the concerns of evangelical Christians on these issues, and to voice opposition on both matters.
The moderator stated that the church has deep concerns over evangelical Christians being forced to go against their conscience.
He said that on the matter of abortion they raised the positions of doctors, midwives, pharmacists and ancillary and managerial staff who could not in good conscience be part of an abortion.
On the matter of same sex marriage the church highlighted the position of not only ministers as officiants but also of marriage registrars and of businesses that supply to weddings.
The church delegation underlined to the minister of state that to force someone to work in a way that goes against their conscience is forced labour and should not be acceptable in a free society.
The delegation were encouraged to hear the minister say that the Northern Ireland Assembly will have the right to amend any legislation that is put in force.
‘...for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ’ Revelation 1 verse 9
Rev John Greer, Clerk of Presbytery, on behalf of the General Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster