The Church of Ireland should strenuously avoid any conflict with same-sex attracted people

Dermot O’Callaghan thinks disagreement on GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) controversies may damage the Church of Ireland (‘Veteran synod member fears for Church of Ireland’s future as annual congress draws near,’ September 29, see link below).

I was ordained as an evangelist by Bishop Harold Miller in 2017 and share Dermot O’Callaghan’s alarm.

CS Lewis directed us to an imaginary tutorial, where a junior demon is instructed on driving people from God: ‘Tortured fear and stupid confidence are both desirable frames of mind’.

The Anglican church has been in a state of ’tortured fear’ on sexuality, for a long time.

The concise Lambeth 1:10 Statement lays out Anglican doctrine on sexuality, but extreme liberals (or radical conservatives) have wilfully disregarded it at times.

Same-sex attracted people have never attacked my evangelical faith and I think the Church of Ireland should strenuously avoid conflict with gay or lesbian people. Gay bars or night clubs, near city centre cathedrals, pose no threat to the church.

Dr James Hardy, Belfast BT5

Veteran synod member fears for Church of Ireland’s future as annual congress draws near

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