Press Releases08 Mar 12

Bishops’ Conference: ‘Human Sexuality in the context of Christian Belief’

As previously announced, the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland will host a conference for members of the Church’s General Synod on the subject of ‘Human Sexuality in the context of Christian Belief’ at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan tomorrow, Friday 9th through to Saturday 10th March 2012. The conference will examine the teaching of scripture, the current stance of the Church of Ireland, and contemporary understanding of the nature of human sexuality. While conference proceedings are not open to members of the media or the public – to facilitate a free exchange of views, to encourage respectful listening and at the personal request of some of the contributors – an update and any conference statement will be made available at www.ireland.anglican.org on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The conference programme will include round–table discussions; biblical explorations on the Old Testament, the Gospels and texts of St Paul; worship; a storytelling session where individuals will share from their personal experiences; and a range of seminars. These seminars will examine: scientific perspectives; parental perspectives; handling conflict in the church; the issue of gay clergy; legal aspects relating to recent legislative changes; pastoral responses to the welcoming of gay people in the church; and the theological/hermeneutical background to the issues.

No formal decisions will be taken at this conference as that business belongs properly to a meeting of the General Synod.


A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of the Church of Ireland was issued in October 2011, see: http://ireland.anglican.org/information/217