Synod rejects motion on same-sex relationships
Both the clergy and laity of the Church of Ireland have rejected a General Synod motion calling for bishops to develop 'sensitive, local pastoral arrangements' for same-sex couples.
At the gathering in Limerick, the Synod considered the report from the Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief – along with the recommendation that the Synod “acknowledges the injury felt by members of the Church who enter into loving, committed and legally-recognised, same-sex relationships, due to the absence of provision for them to mark that key moment in their lives publicly and prayerfully in Church.”
The motion was defeated with clergy voting 72-56 against, and the laity also voting against the motion (104-90).