In response to the letter from the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy (EFIC) carried in last Saturday’s Newsletter (2/8/08) and its accompanying article in the same newspaper, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd Alan Harper, refers to the Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops of the Church of Ireland of September 2003 (click here). It both affirms the centrality and authority of the Scriptures for all Christian discourse and sets out the range of views on human sexuality held within the Church of Ireland. The Archbishop absolutely affirms that the Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation. The bishops’ letter also encourages an attitude of respect for one another and indicates that the Church is in a period of active listening on the issue of human sexuality. The Church of Ireland is an autonomous Province of the Anglican Communion and has established and official channels through which clergy and laity can communicate their views, which are equally open to the members of the EFIC. The Church encourages open dialogue.

The Archbishop recognizes that the views expressed in the published letter represent a stance amongst some clergy of the Church of Ireland; however, church members are reminded of the spectrum of positions held on same-sex relationships. The Archbishop’s address to the USPG Conference on 4 July sought to draw attention to the established principles within Anglicanism of using scripture, tradition and reason in coming to agreed understandings. The Church of Ireland does not have any provision for the blessing of same-sex relationships and it defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

The Archbishop regrets the absence of a significant number of bishops who attended the GAFCON conference from the current Lambeth Conference and assures them that their views have been considered there and that they are remembered in prayer daily.

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