Church of Ireland statement – ministers are free to march in LGBT ‘Pride’ parades

Just three days ago, we put the question to the Church of Ireland – were they going to take any type of a stand against one of its ministers, Rev Andrew Rawding’s (pictured, top) disgraceful conduct in taking it upon himself to “apologise” to the LGBT community for how the church had “mistreated” them?

Well, it didn’t take long for an answer to come along, albeit indirectly.

In an article featured in the Belfast Newsletter, the Church of Ireland stated that the like of Rev Andrew Rawding “may continue to hold their point of view”.

Yes, you have read that correctly.

The Rev Andrew Rawding has the Church of Ireland’s blessing to continue marching in sodomite ‘Pride’ parades, the latest of which he took part in was in Newry, County Armagh today (Saturday).

This followed on from him marching in the sodomite ‘Pride’ parades in Belfast and Londonderry.

This is what the Newsletter article said: “A spokesman for the Church of Ireland said that a church Synod resolution on human sexuality in 2012 affirmed that marriage is “a holy mystery in which one man and one woman become one flesh”. The resolution also opposed “bigotry, hurtful words or actions and demeaning or damaging language” in relation to sexuality.

“The spokesman said that church teaching is agreed in a “democratic” process; Many clergy and laity disagree with church teaching “and may continue to hold their point of view, but it will not be the official position of the Church”.”

So there you have it, the Church of Ireland’s ministers are free to march in LGBT ‘Pride’ parades with no fear of any censures or reprisals.

What a shocking, shameful and outrageous example for the Church of Ireland to set.

This is a clear abandonment of any efforts in the Church of Ireland to deal with sin, which is the central point of the gospel.

We cannot be forgiven if we do not repent of our sin.

We cannot receive a place in heaven if we do not repent of our sin.

When the church fails to take a clear stand against sin, it places an obstacle in the way of people being forgiven of their sin.

That is repugnant.

It really is shocking that the Church of Ireland can sit by idly and say there is no problem with Rev Andrew Rawding loudly and proudly rejecting his own church’s official teaching and, far more importantly, the Bible’s teaching on which relationships are permissible in the eyes of God.

What exactly is the point of a church having clergy who disagree with church teaching?

Why don’t they find a church which they do agree with?

Of course, many of these individuals are agitators trying to force change from within the Church of Ireland to get the church to the point where same-sex ‘marriage’ and all other forms of perversion are accepted in the church.

And the pathetic inaction of those in charge of the church is allowing this to happen.

Some will, no doubt, say, as do many Presbyterians looking to make sodomy acceptable in their church, that this is evidence of a “broad church” type of Christianity.

Let us remind them that narrow is the way that leads to salvation.

Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

It is not a great sign of tolerance or, as some would even more fallaciously try to claim, a sign of Christianity, to laud some sort of “broad church” approach.

God has set certain standards and parameters to which we are to abide.

His Son, Jesus Christ, says in the passage above that “narrow is the way” which leads to life eternal while the broad way leads to “destruction”.

And that is exactly where the road Rev Andrew Rawding is ushering people down leads.

And, by flatly refusing to step in and address his shameful shepherding of the flocks over which he has authority (Holy Trinity Brackaville, St Patrick’s Ballyclog and St Patrick’s Donaghendry), the Church of Ireland is equally guilty.

The following verses in that same chapter are also very relevant in this context of churches failing to fulfil their mission of imploring people to repent and believe the gospel.

Matthew 7:15-20: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

The fruit being brought forth by Rev Andrew Rawding is of the most rotten variety.

He is encouraging people to continue on in their sin and encouraging others to do the same.

This is something which is strongly condemned by the Saviour.

Matthew 23:13 says: “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

Preaching that God is accepting of that which He has in fact called an “abomination” very clearly is an example of preventing others from entering into the kingdom of heaven.

This is surely a very clear example of a separation matter for any true child of God within the Church of Ireland.

Dear believer within the Church of Ireland, your leadership has publicly stated that Rev Andrew Rawding, and any other minister who so chooses, is free to show utter contempt for your church’s teaching and the Word of God’s teaching on this most vital of matters.

Is this a situation you consider to be tolerable?

The leadership of the Church of Ireland, which starts with Most Ecumenical Richard Clarke (pictured, below), the Archbishop of Armagh, is disgracefully refusing to take their stand for God.

Will you?

We surely cannot be silent in the face of such wilful apostasy from the Church of Ireland.

Let us all follow the Scriptural call to be separated from the workers of iniquity.

We don’t have to be members of or attendees at the Church of Ireland for this to be applicable to us.

Does our church have any links with this church? Do we attend services in the Church of Ireland? Do we attend social events in the Church of Ireland? Do Church of Ireland ministers ever speak at our church?

There can be no links with a church which refuses to address sin.

How can blessing be found where rebellion against God is present?

God hates sin.

This is a simple yet fundamental Biblical precept.

We can see so many examples of this throughout Scripture.

We can see God expressing his hatred for it in his proclamations against His chosen people.

Hosea 9:15-17 gives a clear example of this.

It says: “All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters. Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.”

If God declares such judgment on His covenant people, how much more wary ought we, as Gentiles, to be faithful to Him.

The Apostle Paul likened us to branches being grafted on to the tree after the branches representing the Jews had been broken off.

Warning the Gentiles in Rome to remain faithful, he said in Romans 11:21: “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

There is a price to be paid for sin. Do we want to associate ourselves with it? Surely our answer will be, as Paul so often wrote, “God forbid”.

Let us separate ourselves in every fashion from the Church of Ireland, who have now officially sanctioned its ministers marching for sodomy and transgenderism.

Let us go outside the camp to be on the Lord’s side.

2 Corinthians 6:17: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”.