The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has loosened ties with the Church of Scotland over its more liberal attitude towards same-sex relationships.
The current Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Rev Susan Brown, said she recognised that there were significant differences between the two denominations but said that move would harm Christianity:
“To a world which doesn’t understand the nuances of particular theological stances, today’s decision will be yet another reason to stay away from religion and from Christianity in particular.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has now tried to stifle criticism or open debate by issuing a letter to all ministers, warning against bringing the church “into disrepute” by speaking in a public way that may cause “scandal injurious to the purity or peace of the church”.
Following a Talkback interview on Radio Ulster earlier this month, Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick has been suspended by Union Theological College for speaking his mind.
Professor Kirkpatrick had described the college as a “‘getting on’ exclusively Presbyterian male teaching faculty”.
He added: “I’d be broken-hearted if anyone said I’d been bigoted against a Catholic or gay student.”
Robert Burns had a few words to say about church elders in his poem Holy Willie’s Prayer written in 1785
(extract)
Lord, bless Thy chosen in this place,
For here Thou hast a chosen race:
But God confound their stubborn face,
An’ blast their name,
Wha bring Thy elders to disgrace
An’ public shame.
odespinner 