Bp. Harold Miller, Dean Tom Gordon, Church of Ireland, and Gay Marriages

Bishop Harold Miller and Dean Tom Gordon, Anglican Church of Ireland

General Synod of the Church of Ireland 2012
Christ Church, Dublin, Ireland
Synod votes to affirm traditional marriage
Fissures still remain Bp. Harold Miller observes

          A senior Anglican Bishop in the Church of Ireland discusses the resolvability of tensions between traditional and liberal Churchmen on the gay dispute, noting that resolution, long term, is unlikely.  Reformation Anglicanism does not think the matter is resolvable either;  the gay advocates are hell-bent on their agenda.

          For researchers, see our “Search Button” on the right.  Reformation Anglicanism has posted several articles on the Irish Church and continues to call for an investigation into Dean Tom Gordon.  

          As for Dean Tom Gordon, the liberals would call this a “witch hunt.”  Reformation Anglicanism continues to insist on vetting elites, especially the media, but also the clerics and Bishops.  In this instance with Dean Tom Gordon, the question revolves around his suitability as a  “moral example” for an individual, family, church and even nations.  We think with the Westminster Larger Catechism, something Irish Anglicans fail to confess or assert (their loss).  Here are the relevant applications: 

Question 123: Which is the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.

Question 124: Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

Answer: By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

Question 129: What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?

Answer: It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; and discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul and body: and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honor to themselves, and so to preserve that authority which God has put upon them.

Question 130: What are the sins of superiors?

Answer: The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them, an inordinate seeking of themselves, their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure; commanding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform; counseling, encouraging, or favoring them in that which is evil; dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good; correcting them unduly; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger; provoking them to wrath; or any way dishonoring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behavior.

          Aside from the fifth commandment and Dean Tom Gordon’s situation, we turn to a larger issue:  the gay advocates accuse traditionalist of hate, homophobia, meanness and more.  These are strenuously over-wrought objections needing correction, moderation and moral insight.  The leaders should insist on this.  Reformation Anglicanism has been involved in counseling gay Christians.  Ne’ry once was there hate, fear, or meanness. The counseling was kind, compassionate, direct and biblical.  Impenitent and non-celibate sexuality is lawlessness and sin. 

          Here are some ninth commandment concerns that need to operate in these discussions.  Correction of these frequent and false charges by gay advocates against Confessional and Catholic Christians, need these corrections. 

Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things: Whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requires; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of: Whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.

Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calls for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

          Here is an article about Bishop Harold Miller and his view that the “gay issue” in the Church of Ireland is un-resolvable.   Given the current leadership, it probably is not resolvable.  With courageous leaders, however, this is a 10-minute issue.  See: http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/church-may-never-resolve-gay-dispute-says-bishop-1-3841197

Church may never resolve gay dispute – says Bishop

Bishop Harold Miller pictured at his offices in Belfast
Published on Tuesday 15 May 2012 08:46

A SENIOR Church of Ireland bishop has said that he doubts whether the divide on homosexuality between conservatives and liberals in the church can be reconciled.

The Bishop of Down and Dromore, Harold Miller, said that the debate over whether same-sex relationships were sinful or normal had not been resolved anywhere in the Anglican Communion and questioned whether Irish Anglicans could find middle ground between the two positions.

In his first in-depth interview since it became public last year that a serving Church of Ireland cleric, Dean Tom Gordon, had entered a civil partnership, Bishop Miller told the News Letter that the development had created a “serious situation”.

Bishop Miller, who is the leading conservative bishop in Ireland, said that it would be “very helpful” for Dean Gordon to now say whether he was in a sexual relationship with his partner.

His comments follow a victory for conservatives within the church who on Saturday secured more than two-thirds of the votes in the church’s General Synod for a motion which backed traditional marriage, despite the public opposition of two liberal bishops.

When asked whether the two positions within the church – that homosexuality should be celebrated and that same-sex relationships are sinful – were in any way reconcilable, Bishop Miller said: “They have not been reconcilable in the Anglican Communion.

“This was clarified at the 1998 Lambeth [conference] and groups have continued down, as it were, a certain direction. They have not been reconcilable in the Communion so I doubt if those two views are in the end reconcilable.”

Asked then what in that case the point was of continuing to discuss the issue, he said: “I don’t think that a dialogue is held only to see if two definite positions are reconcilable. A dialogue is held so that each position has clearly heard each other...and all of us going into a dialogue have to have a preparedness to look at our own points of view and reflect on our own points of view.

“But I couldn’t say that I really have great hope that the two opposite positions will suddenly come together into one.”

Bishop Miller said that he did not personally see any problem with the three motions put to the church’s General Synod last Thursday in an attempt to help clarify the church’s teaching on marriage and same-sex relationships and was “very disappointed” when debate was stopped.

Bishop Miller said that as the motions stood on Thursday the word “therefore” — to which the liberal Bishop Michael Burrows objected — “quite obviously” referred to the preceding paragraph, not the preamble to the motion.

However, he said that that was “neither here nor there” as he went by the ruling of the Archbishop, whom he said had given a “wise” decision not to debate the motions, something which he said was “not in any way a political decision”.

“I felt that we may not have anything to put to the synod and that worried me because when you don’t have anything to put to the synod, especially a synod that actually wants to discuss it – and the synod did want to discuss it – you create a vacuum.

“And when you create a vacuum, if there are any disagreements the gulf can become wider. So I was very exercised that the thing should be discussed at this year’s General Synod.”

However, despite his unhappiness at the three motions not being debated on Thursday, Bishop Miller said he now believed that it was better to combine them in a single motion and remove the preamble which referred to the fallout from Dean Gordon’s civil partnership.

“I think it was better and more than two-thirds of the synod voted for it but for those who didn’t, I have to recognise that some of them feel very strongly about it. I can’t quite get to the core of what the issue is for them.”

Opponents of the motion argued that it could become a pretext for a “witch hunt” against gay clergy and possibly even lead to a retrospective attempt to bring Dean Gordon and Bishop Burrows before an ecclesiastical court over Dean Gordon’s civil partnership.

But Bishop Miller said that in his view the motion made no difference to Dean Gordon, who he said could not be disciplined retrospectively based on a motion which had not been passed when he entered his partnership.

“If anybody was bringing either Bishop Burrows or Dean Tom Gordon to an ecclesiastical court, it would have to be on the basis of what was in place when the problem occurred.

“The motion wasn’t creating something new – it was just restating [doctrine]. So it makes not the slightest bit of difference.”

And Bishop Miller hit out at liberals for alleging that a “witch hunt” could take place against gay clergy, something he said that he had “never ever seen” in the “generous” church.

Dr. McCann: "Oh Ireland, `Division is Inevitable'"

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/print.php?storyid=3665

Oh Ireland,"Division is Inevitable" - by Alan McCann Date 2006/2/24 22:20:00 | Topic: As Eye See It

IRELAND: Oh Ireland, "Division is Inevitable" By Alan McCann Exclusive to VirtueOnlinewww.virtueonline.org 2/25/2006 The Church of Ireland prides itself on being an 'all Ireland' body which in its naiveté it believes also spans the divide politically between the predominantly Unionist North and Nationalist South. Within the Church of Ireland it is safe to say that the further North you travel the more conservative, low church and evangelical the grassroots, and to a large extent clergy, you will encounter. Nothing shows this divide as clearly as the issue of human sexuality. Down and Dromore, Cloougher, and Kilmore, Ardagh and Elphin dioceses all passed resolutions supporting Lambeth 1.10, Added to this the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt. Rev. Ken Good (who was not at Lambeth 1998) stated that he would have voted in support of Lambeth 1.10. Connor Diocese had a hung vote on the issue in June 2004, the vote being lost because many evangelicals left early whilst the liberals stayed to vote on the issue. However, it was interesting that the liberal revisionists were concerned enough about the vote that they attempted to stop the motion being debated on procedural grounds on three occasions during the synod. So it is apparent that there are clear lines of division within the Church of Ireland on the issue of human sexuality. In September 2003 the house of Bishops issued a Pastoral Letter on Human Sexuality. The letter outlined four viewpoints held within the House of Bishops. Each viewpoint was said to be consonant with scripture, whereas the truth is only viewpoint 1 was in fact faithful to the biblical teaching. The Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy (www.efic.org.uk) described the letter as 'Smoke and Mirrors.' Some senior evangelical clergy had a series of meetings with some of the Bishops to discuss the letter and to air their opposition to the other 3 viewpoints. It is fair to say that nothing of any consequence emerged from the meeting and that frustration has grown at the lack of clear biblical leadership by the evangelical bishops on this issue. Towards the end of 2005 there appeared a series of articles in both the church press and the secular media from leading liberal establishment figures in the south of Ireland advocating an acceptance of same-sex relationships. This coincided with the advent of the 'civil-partnership' law in the UK, which came into force in the North of Ireland in December 2005. This was further supported by a series of sermons by leading liberal revisionist advocates supporting the acceptance of same-sex relationships. Dean Michael Burrows (Cork), Dean Robert MacCarthy (St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin) and Dean White all advocated the acceptance of same-sex relationships. This concerted, and to many, a co-coordinated assault on biblical teaching went unanswered by the House of Bishops. It was enough to prompt Reform Ireland (www.reform-ireland.org) to issue a public call for biblical leadership from within the Church of Ireland and the House of Bishops in particular. To date no bishop has spoken out to challenge such viewpoints or to reprimand those who advocate such change. 2006 looks like it could be a year of turmoil for the Church of Ireland. Towards the end of 2005 Dean Houston McKelvey (St Anne's, Belfast) invited the Dalai Lama to address a multi-faith service within Belfast Cathedral. This led some prominent members of the chapter to publicly distance themselves and to rebuke the dean for his actions. This is not the first time that Dean McKelvey has courted controversy. When the primates of the Anglican Communion came to Dromantine he invited Bishop Frank Griswold(Primate of ECUSA) to preach at the morning Holy Communion, again leading to a furor at his actions. Then Bishop Peter Barret (Cashel and Ossory) resigned on the 25th January 2006. Only later did it transpire that the reason for his resignation was, according to the secular press, that he had begun a relationship with a married Roman Catholic woman whom he had known for many years. He left his wife, of 25 years, and three children and also apparently left Ireland for England. The lack of information concerning the reasons for his resignation led Noel Coghlan, a prominent layman in the southern part of the church, to accuse the hierarchy of an 'information clampdown' and of 'hounding Bishop Barrett out of the country.' To date such claims are unsubstantiated and no comment has come from Archbishop John Neill (Dublin), who accepted Bishop Barrett's resignation. The electoral college for the appointment of the new bishop of Cashel and Ossory is set for March 31st. The person appointed, and there has been media speculation that it could be a women, will no doubt come from the ranks of the liberal establishment. Leading liberals such as Dean Michael Burrows are being suggested. Such an appointment, or someone of similar liberal revisionist views, would only reinforce the impression that there is such an agenda being actively pushed in the Church of Ireland. Then just when it appeared that things were settling down to their usual sleepy ways in the Church of Ireland, Limerick Diocese (Bishop Michael Mayes) announced that it was renewing its link with the Diocese of New Hampshire. Ironically as the Limerick Diocesan Magazine was announcing this renewal Bishop Gene Robinson (New Hampshire) was booking himself into a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol related problems. Rev Bob Hanna, the author of the piece announcing the renewed link, praised Bishop Gene as "a wonderfully Charismatic leader, a renowned pastor of clergy and people and a truly evangelical High churchman, who represents the very best of our great Anglican tradition. With his courage, pragmatism, courtesy and zeal for the Church's health in modern times we have much to learn from his example." Once again controversy has been ignited by this announcement. EFIC had in the past challenged Bishop Mayes (Limerick) for his attendance (but non-participation) at the consecration of Gene Robinson, and his diocesan council to break the link with New Hampshire. EFIC had engaged in debate in the Limerick Leader (the local press) on the link and the issue of same-sex relationships. This tactic was reveled the emergence of a much more confident and politically savvy evangelical constituency within the Church of Ireland. it was no coincidence that this approach coincided with the election of a new committee (of younger and older evangelicals) to oversee EFIC. Upon the announcement that the link was to be renewed Reform Ireland published a hard hitting critique on the issue and spoke of division and broken fellowship being the inevitable outcome. So what about Archbishop Eames in all of this. He is feted within the Anglican Communion as the 'great fixer.' His astute handling of issues such as women's ordination and the Windsor Report has endeared him to many within the wider Anglican family. Interestingly he was once described as the 'divine optimist.' There is no doubt that he is a very shrewd and wise political operator. His handling of the peace process in Northern Ireland clearly reveals a sharp mind, a political brain and an ability to handle the media which many politicians covet. In a recent biography Alf McCreery quotes several people who point out that he says a lot to the media but upon examination you realize he has in fact said very little. He is the epitome of T S Elliot's 'straw men', all image and no substance when dealing with the media. That is why he invariably becomes the spokesman at meetings of the Anglican primates. He bats easily and comfortably at the media crease. No matter what they bowl at him he plays it with a straight bat and no one can recall an occasion when he has made a faux pas in front of the camera. But what about within the Church of Ireland. It is generally rumored that 2006 could see him announce his retirement. The General Synod of the Church of Ireland is to be held in Armagh this year and many see this as an opportunity to announce his retirement. The more cynical believe he will announce it before the synod so that it is not blighted by the human sexuality issue. If he does announce his retirement there is no doubt that the next Archbishop of Armagh will not have the same standing as Lord Eames. It is also generally accepted that it is Lord Eames who holds the House of Bishops together and pushes the 'collegiality' mentality that seems to dominate it at present. With his departure many believe such 'collegiality' will fail and the real divisions will appear, especially as it will be one of the remaining house who will be elected to the See of Armagh. The truth is that the Church of Ireland has a veneer of unity but it is exactly that - a veneer. The church is riven with division. There is an emerging generation of evangelical clergy who are prepared to break fellowship with their diocesan bishop over the issue of human sexuality. Several have already written to their Bishop, with the support of their Select Vestry, to express just such sentiments. Many older evangelicals have come to the conclusion that division is inevitable and when they look at diocesan and central church structures they see nothing which promotes the gospel but much which absorbs resources and energy away from parishes and the real work of the church. These older evangelicals, whilst not always agreeing with the more strident militancy of the younger generation, are encouraging the younger men to stand firm and fight for the heart of the church of Ireland to remain true to the gospel. The younger generation are far more media savvy than their elders and they are also far more politically astute, being willing to take the initative and are not prepared to allow the liberals to set the agenda. In the year ahead we will invariably see the battle lines being drawn more clearly . Lord Eames may well be relieved that he no longer has the burden of 'uniting' a rapidly dividing Church. Ironically he has launched a new project called 'The Hard Gospel'. This imitative may well prove to be the catalyst for revealing the deep divisions within the Church of Ireland, North and South. Only the naive, or the blind, do not believe that division is inevitable within the Church of Ireland. There are several parishes, and clergy, who will have no qualms in telling their bishop he is not welcome and seeking alternative Episcopal oversight. There are many who are quietly waiting to see if any of the 'evangelical bishops' will give a lead to the orthodox within the Church of Ireland. Like all things in Ireland what you see on the surface is never the reality. The Church of Ireland appears united but the reality is that it is divided and the cracks are beginning to appear. 2006 will see those cracks widen and some very important battles for the gospel lie ahead. It is clear that EFIC and Reform Ireland appear to be leading the evangelical constituency on a biblical course which will lead to collision with many diocesan bishops. All we can do is pray that they remain faithful to the historic faith and the biblical teaching of the Church of Ireland and that they have the courage to engage in this battle in the year ahead. For more on the issues on state of the Province of Ireland go to www.irishangle.net where information on the issues raised in this article can be found. --The Rev. Alan McCann is Rector of Holy Trinity Woodburn, Diocese of Connor. He is a founding member of Reform Ireland. Holy Trinity is the youngest parish in the Church of Ireland, being a church plant from St Nicholas' Carrickfergus. Membership is now 300. McCann received his B.A.(Hons) in Business Studies at the University Ulster, Jordanstown, before doing his B.Th. at Trinity College Dublin. He completed his M.Phil at The Queens University, Belfast, and wrote his thesis on the 'The Charismatic Movement in the Church of Ireland, a Historical and Theological Introduction.'

Rev.Dr. Alan McCann: Calls for Repentance by Irish Dean and Bishops in Church of Ireland

The statement below is from the Rev. Dr. Alan McCann and the Vestry at Holy Trinity Church, Carrickfergus, Ireland.  It is in the Diocese of Connor. Further information is available at:  http://www.holytrinitycarrick.org.uk/index.htm.  This Anglican Church states:  "First and foremost we are a Christian Church and as such form part of God's worldwide church. Secondly, we are Church of Ireland, and we endeavour to live according to our biblically based faith, which is set out in what we call `The 39 Articles of Faith.'"


http://www.holytrinitycarrick.org.uk/110916.pdf

Statement by the Select Vestry of Holy Trinity Woodburn, Diocese of Connor 

The Select Vestry of Holy Trinity Woodburn wishes to make the following statement as a result of the recent confirmation that a member of the clergy of the Church of Ireland has entered into a same-sex civil partnership.

We acknowledge that every person is a child of God and is therefore deserving of respect, love and a welcome in the church that God has called us to be. None of us are without sin. We are all dependent on the love, grace and mercy of God expressed in the forgiveness which He freely offers to a fallen sinful world through His Son Jesus. Everyone is welcome at Holy Trinity Woodburn.

However we believe that the Bible is clear on the issue of human sexuality and that God’s design and correct place for sexual activity is within the context of a faithful marriage relationship between a man and a woman. Anything outside of this is outside of God’s purposes for humankind and is as the Bible states sinful. This is what the Scriptures clearly teach and this has been the historical teaching of the Church for two millennia. 

This is the doctrine and the teaching of the Church of Ireland also. The message of the gospel of Christ Jesus is one of transforming grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This transformation of life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, enables men and women to grow not only in faith but also in holiness of life. 

We regret that those called to lead the church of God would wish to espouse, or live, a patently unbiblical way of life. We are deeply hurt and offended by the actions of dean Tom Gordon and further distressed that this step was taken with the apparent knowledge and tacit approval of the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory. If, as dean Gordon has stated, Bishop Burrows was fully aware of the Dean’s way of life and gave approval for his entering into a civil partnership he has departed from the teaching of the Church. This we consider to be a grave matter and one which seriously questions the unity of the Church of Ireland. This decision, if not repented of and turned away from, will, in our humble opinion, inevitably lead to the breaking of fellowship and to division. This matter cannot be ignored by us as a church fellowship nor by the wider Church of Ireland. 

We call on all members of Holy Trinity Woodburn to diligently pray for godly leadership in the church; for repentance on the part of those who have so publicly fallen and departed from the apostolic faith; and call on the bishops of the Church of Ireland and those who sit in the councils of the church to reaffirm and to work for the restoration of the biblically orthodox position on human relationships which heretofore existed.