18
May 2014 A.D. Irish
Bishop of Cork—Corks Off & Spouts Forth
No
author. “Same-sex Marriage Backed by Church of Ireland Bishop.” BBC. 18 May 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27460784.
Accessed 19 May 2014.
Same-sex marriage backed by Church of Ireland bishop
Last month, a bid to
legislate in favour of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland was blocked.
A Church of Ireland Bishop has voiced his support
for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples.
The Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, is thought to
be the first Church of Ireland bishop to make such a statement.
Last month, the Assembly rejected a motion calling
for the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Dr Colton also said he hoped the church would one
day recognise same-sex marriages in religious ceremonies.
He told BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence
programme that it was a very "divisive" debate.
"The events in society are moving very rapidly
and the church is not at all up to pace with the debate," he said.
"I certainly support civil same sex marriage.
"I also recognise that the church of Ireland's
definition of marriage is for itself and I adhere to that discipline... but
that is not to say that everyone must be required to take the church of
Ireland's view of marriage.
"Having said that I'm also among those in the
church, and perhaps we're only a minority, albeit a significant one that long
to see the day when we can have a discussion - as we've had discussions over
the years on all sorts of other issues about the nature of marriage - with a
view, ultimately, at least to the blessing of same sex couples following civil
unions if not to their marriage in church as is happening in other parts of the
Anglican communion."
Third time
Changing Attitude Ireland held a service at St George's Church, Belfast,
to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT)
The Church of Ireland's LGBT affirming group,
Changing Attitude Ireland, welcomed the comments.
Chairman Dr Richard O'Leary said: "The
bishop's acknowledgement of the hurt that the church has inflicted on its gay
and lesbian members is greatly appreciated especially as it comes on the day we
are holding services to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and
Transphobia (IDAHOT)".
Last month, Stormont rejected same-sex marriage for
the third time in 18 months.
Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK
which has not passed a law to introduce same-sex marriage.
The first gay marriages have recently taken place
in England and Wales, with Scotland due to follow later this year
Ahead of the assembly motion, the Church of Ireland
restated its position on same-sex marriage, repeating what was affirmed at its
general synod in 2012.
"The Church of Ireland affirms, according to
our Lord's teaching, that marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and
life-long, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one
woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side. The Church of Ireland
recognises for itself and of itself, no other understanding of marriage,"
it said.
Catholic bishops in Northern Ireland wrote an open
letter to all MLAs urging them to reject the motion.
The letter said the motion undermined the principle
of equality by applying it "inappropriately".
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