EFIC | Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy

An Open Letter to the Church of Ireland

We, the undersigned members, lay readers and clergy of the Church of Ireland wish to make known our dismay at the recent events which have strained the very fabric of our Church's unity and witness. For the first time in the life of the Church, a serving cleric has entered into a civil partnership, and as he claims, has done so with the full knowledge of his diocesan bishop. We want to highlight the hurt and distress these actions have caused to many in our parishes, leaving them uncertain about the position of the Church of Ireland in relation to sexual morality.

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Civil unrest?

A day for Bible study & prayer hosted by the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy (EFIC)

A FURTHER STATEMENT ON THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE CHURCH OF IRELAND

As groups representing a significant number of both ordained and non-ordained members of the Church of Ireland we wish to express our deep and genuine sorrow at the announcement that a serving cleric of the Church of Ireland has entered into a Civil Partnership. In what follows we seek to express the depth and breadth of our hurt and concern over the specific questions raised in this instance, and by the broader issues that emerge.

First, we regret the apparent lack of regard for the doctrine and teaching of the Church of Ireland in relation to human sexuality and marriage. Founded on scripture, flowing from reason and following tradition, our church, in its teaching, life and liturgical practice, has always affirmed the sanctity of relational and sexual union between a man and woman in holy matrimony.

THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE CHURCH OF IRELAND - A Statement

As groups representing a significant number of both ordained and non-ordained members of the Church of Ireland we wish to express our sorrow at the announcement that a serving cleric of the Church of Ireland has entered into a Civil Partnership with another man. This raises specific questions and highlights issues that go beyond the particular circumstances of the individual concerned.

EFIC Quiet Day

Jonathan Fletcher
Knockbreda Parish Halls, Belfast
10.45am – 3.00pm, Monday 7th February 2011

Jonathan Fletcher is vicar of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon. He is an exceptionally gifted preacher and evangelical church leader. We are delighted he has agreed to return and speak to the EFIC.

Common Statement on the Consecration of Mary Glasspool

As members of the Church of Ireland we wish to express sorrow that Mary Glasspool, a person who is living in a same-sex relationship, is to be consecrated as one of two new assistant bishops in Los Angeles on May 15.

A Final Nail in the Coffin

The election of openly homosexual cleric Mary Glasspool as a suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles is immensely saddening but not surprising. It is merely the latest indication of the trajectory the Episcopal Church in the United States (TEC) has been taking for decades.

Communion, Covenant and the Anglican Future - a response

The Archbishop of Canterbury has given his Reflections on the Episcopal Church's 2009 General Convention and addressed it to the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion. As faithful Anglicans, the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy want to consider this and respond accordingly:

EFIC response to the Archbishop of Armagh

The Archbishop of Armagh’s recent lecture delivered at the USPG annual conference, is highly problematic at a number of levels. The problems are with his use of Scripture, his understanding of Richard Hooker, his view of the church and what she is or isn’t free to do and the pastoral care of those with same-sex attraction.

Smoke and Mirrors

At the start of September 2003, in the midst of the present crisis within Anglicanism, the House of Bishops sent their Pastoral Letter on Human Sexuality to the clergy and people of the Church of Ireland. It is their much-awaited statement on the issue since Archbishop Eames announced at General Synod 2003 that the Bishops were examining the whole issue of sexuality.

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