Paganism promoted again by Church of Ireland in County Armagh

2 Timothy 3:13: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

In May 2018, we highlighted the abominable and outrageous situation wherein a Church of Ireland ‘minister’ was revealed to be the leader of an organisation called the ‘Centre for Celtic Spirituality’ and was promoting and practising various pagan rituals.

This included holding events which ‘Rev’ Grace Clunie (pictured, top) described as “earthwalks”, with one such event held to mark the pagan festival of Beltane (or Bealtaine).

Curiously, the website on which she promoted such, with other recommendations including “creating an outdoor prayer shrine or befriending a tree to pray / meditate outdoors”, seems to have disappeared since we last wrote about it.

Sadly, the centre itself hasn’t disappeared.

And just three weeks ago, on Wednesday, 12 February a Church of Ireland parish centre in County Armagh was the venue for an event addressed by ‘Rev’ Grace Clunie entitled, ‘Celtic Spirituality and St Brigid’.

The ‘Jethro Centre’ in Lurgan played host to this celebration of paganism.

In our article almost two years ago we highlighted much of what is wrong with the Celtic Spirituality nonsense espoused by ‘Rev’ Grace Clunie and would invite you to read that article by clicking here.

The possibly fictional character of St Brigid is nothing but the subject of pagan folklore hijacked by Rome and given a Chriatian gloss (a particular skill of Rome’s).

Saint Brigid is widely recognised as being a pagan goddess transformed by Rome into one of their ‘saints’.

So why would a Church of Ireland ‘minister’ want to speak in such a manner about a pagan deity turned Papist saint?

Furthermore, why would the Church of Ireland, supposedly a Christian, not pagan or Papist (though paganism and Popery are pretty similar) church, tolerate one of its ‘ministers’ speaking about a pagan deity turned Papist saint?

One likely reason is that the Church of Ireland doesn’t particularly care what goes on under its banner or by those who collect their wages from them and live in their properties.

To see a clear example of this, one must only look at the disgraceful case of Rev Andrew Rawding, Church of Ireland minister in the Coalisland and Stewartstown areas of County Tyrone.

Not only does he appear to be striving to make himself the patron saint of the sodomite movement by attending every ‘Pride’ parade he can find and by taking up the role of vice-Chairman of the utterly ungodly Mid-Ulster Pride grouping, but he has hosted at least one of its meetings in his own house.

Well, we should say he has hosted at least one of its meetings in the rectory provided to him by the Church of Ireland which, unless it is unlike virtually every other Church of Ireland rectory in the country, is provided to him rent or mortgage free.

What does the Church of Ireland do about this? They can’t have not heard about his antics, given he has done his utmost to ensure he has received maximum publicity for his stance in defying God.

Indeed, we know for a fact this was brought directly to the attention of the recently retired Archbishop of Armagh, Most Ecumenical Richard Clarke (pictured, below), the most senior figure in the Church of Ireland.

What did he do about it? Nothing.

Indeed, ‘Rev’ Grace Clunie’s promotion of paganism is carried out within just a few miles of Armagh city, the site of Most Ecumenical Richard Clarke’s episcopal seat.

Job 11:14 gives us sound guidance as to what we should do when we are confronted by sin, be it our own or that under our responsibility.

It says: “If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.”

It is within the power of the Archbishop of Armagh, or was when these outrageous situations presented themselves, to do something about and refuse to let it dwell in the tabernacles of his church.

However, he has very clearly failed to do so, an action (or inaction) which is reprehensible.

This event at the Jethro Centre was promoted by what is called the ‘Community Outreach Group’, according to the Roman Catholic parish bulletin for Lurgan.

The website for the Jethro Centre states this of the Community Outreach Group: “The Community Outreach Group, which comes under the umbrella of SPCA, was formed in 2004 as a result of an initiative by the Rev Dr Maurice Elliott, a former rector of Shankill Parish, and is a partnership between the churches of Shankill Parish, St Peter’s Parish and St Paul’s Parish.”

St Peter’s and St Paul’s are both Roman Catholic churches, so this is an overtly ecumenical group.

Rev Dr Maurice Elliott (pictured, below), referred to in the quote above, is the Director of the Theological Institute of the Church of Ireland, meaning he is in charge of the training of aspiring ministers within that denomination.

Given his clear commitment to mingling with Romanism, it would appear highly unlikely he is a satisfactory individual to entrust with training men whose chief purpose ought to be the fearless preaching of the full counsel of God, which would include denouncing false religions such as that of Rome.

This is but yet further evidence of the weakness of the Church of Ireland in these days of apostasy and departure from God’s Word.

Dear Christian, be wary of allowing yourself to fall under the influence of such dangerous events as this, which mere attendance at will have the effect of damaging your walk with Christ and His cause in our land.

Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

East Belfast Mission and Rev Andrew Irvine give themselves over to Rome

Jeremiah 6:13-16: “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a reprehensible event, as it seeks to overthrow vital doctrinal differences in the name of soppy ‘unity’.

Never mind the fact that Rome denies the precious truth of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), or that it blasphemously offers up Christ as a sacrifice at its Mass, or the blasphemous titles taken upon himself by the Pope, or Rome’s many other false teachings and claims.

So long as we stand together and pontificate about how lovely it would be to live together in peace and harmony, and without any of that frightful earnest contending for the faith, then won’t everything just be fine and dandy?

The attitude of the ecumenist is to ignore or shun doctrinal differences (although in many cases it could be because they don’t actually hold particularly strongly to any doctrines to differ from others on) for the sake of the utterly vital ‘unity’, even though it is nothing other than a shabby pretence.

To allow others to continue in error and refuse to try to correct them, out of a love for their never-dying soul, is seen as praiseworthy and noble.

And one such ever so worthy character who helped spread ecumenical deceit during that week long festival of mean compromise is Rev Andrew Irvine (pictured, top), Methodist minister and Chief Executive of the East Belfast Mission, itself ran by the Methodist Church.

A former big shot on Belfast City Council, Rev Andrew Irvine has been brought on board at the East Belfast Mission to help boost its income.

And on Wednesday, 23 January, Rev Andrew Irvine engaged in his mean ecumenical compromise by preaching at a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service in a Romanist chapel in Lurgan in County Armagh.

Rev Andrew Irvine was the speaker in the service in St Paul’s Roman Catholic church in the town.

How exactly such compromise can be justified is frankly remarkable.

Did Rev Andrew Irvine tell those in attendance that the Romish lie of works based salvation will lead any who believe it to hell?

Did Rev Andrew Irvine tell them that Purgatory is nothing but a Romish creation, a fictitious venue used largely to extract more money from its deluded adherents?

Did Rev Andrew Irvine blast the disgraceful Papist lie of offering prayers to Mary and to long dead so-called ‘saints’?

What do you think?

Had Rev Andrew Irvine said any of those things he’d have been out on his ear so quickly it would have made his head spin.

Instead, he chooses to say soft things that will offend nobody and leave those in attendance with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

The theme of this year’s Week of Christian Unity was ‘Justice’.

Not God’s justice of course, the ecumenist and apostate doesn’t like God’s justice.

Rather it is about what is known as ‘social justice’, meaning it is very easy territory for anyone to cover and certainly would allow those in attendance to leave with that warm, fuzzy feeling so valued in churches which have rejected Christ.

After all, who could disagree that it would be nice if everybody was treated fairly?

Saying things that please people, rather than telling them they are on their way to a lost eternity in hell if they don’t repent of their sins, is symptomatic of the false prophets the whole way down through history.

This was very prevalent in the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Jeremiah was outright contradicted in his prophesies of destruction for Jerusalem by Hananiah, who prophesied from the imagination of his own heart rather than according to God’s Word.

Jeremiah 28:1-4 says: “And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the Lord: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.”

That certainly was a people-pleasing message from Hananiah.

Jeremiah responded in verse 9, saying: “…when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.”

What Jeremiah was saying was that time would prove who was telling the truth.

How did events transpire? Jeremiah 39 has the answer.

Jeremiah 39:1-9 says: “In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain. But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon. And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.”

Jeremiah had urged King Zedekiah to negotiate a truce with Babylon, Hananiah the false prophet claimed God had told him that the Lord would “break the yoke of the king of Babylon”.

Which message was more popular? Hananiah’s. Which message was of God? Jeremiah’s.

And so it is even to this day, the Word of God continues to be unpopular with the world at large, and Rev Andrew Irvine is following in the footsteps of Hananiah.

He is, in the words given to the prophet Isaiah by God, saying the “smooth things”.

Isaiah 30:9-10: “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”

Ecumenical events are nothing other than deceits and we ought to stay well clear of any such event.

Likewise, any supposedly Protestant minister engaging in such is guilty of taking part in the deception.

It is unsurprising to see Rev Andrew Irvine taking this approach when you consider who is his boss, as it were, in the East Belfast Mission, Rev Brian Anderson (pictured, below), the President of the Irish Council of Churches.

On the East Belfast Mission’s own website, the Irish Council of Churches is called the “main ecumenical body in Ireland”, showing very clearly how the East Belfast Mission is avowedly tied up with Rome.

Let us be determined to oppose all form of ecumenical meetings and be unafraid to stand up against any who are eager to betray their Protestant heritage by mingling with the errors of Rome.

Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Emmanuel leader Dave Wylie calls Papist monk a ‘hero of church history’

The Romanist connections of Emmanuel Church, based in the Craigavon area, continue to be strengthened and expanded upon by its lead pastors.

This is so much and so clearly the case that justifiably its best known figure has earned the moniker Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson.

In addition to speaking at, leading and organising a host of events in full agreement with Rome, last month we revealed the truly disgraceful, heretical message he preached in the Emmanuel Church in which he glorified Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Romanist Jesuit order and leader of the Counter Reformation.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson (pictured, below) then led the poor people in the congregation in getting them to engage in the ‘Spiritual Exercises’ of that evil man.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson is ably assisted in his ecumenical compromise by fellow lead pastors, Philip Emerson and Dave Wylie.

Both of those men took part in the ecumenical, charismatic ‘New Wine’ Conference in the summertime, at which three Romanist speakers were invited. Next year’s conference has already agreed to bring back one of those Papist deceivers, which you can read about by clicking here.

And we have now discovered that, in the same series of meetings held by Emmanuel Church, entitled ‘The Practice’, Dave Wylie has led the congregation into practicing what is today considered a Benedictine ritual meditation called Lectio Divina.

The Benedictines are an order of Roman Catholic monks.

This is another instance of Romish practices being taught and encouraged in what is allegedly a God-exalting church.

Speaking in the service from 7th October, which you can access by going to the Emmanuel Church Lurgan website, Dave Wylie introduces the Lectio Divina process thus: “There were four steps given by this monk called Guigo Carthusi I think is his name in 1173 and there’s been other heroes of church history that have used this”.

He is referring to a man known as Guigo II, a Carthusian Roman Catholic monk, who was a Prior of the Carthusian Order.

So Dave Wylie is holding on a pedestal an emissary of Papal deceit, describing him as a “hero of church history”.

It certainly is a bizarre thing for someone in his position to consider a leading figure in the Roman Catholic Church to be a hero of church history.

Which church is he referring to? Does Dave Wylie consider himself to be of the religious lineage of a Roman Catholic monk?

It certainly is interesting that Emmanuel Church leaders appear to be engaged in a repeated campaign to eulogise and promote architects of Romish practices and deceitful spiritual exercises.

Indeed, they are promoting that which is and those who are absolutely opposite to Biblical Christianity.

Lectio Divina, the practice espoused by Dave Wylie and which he claims has changed his life in his message brought to the Emmanuel Church, is a contemplative meditative method of reading the Bible.

It is essentially another form of mysticism, and that word is something which cropped up in Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson’s extolling of the leader of Protestant persecution, Ignatius of Loyola.

This is what Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson had to say: “He had some profound mystical experiences, and it was in those mystical experiences that he wrote what’s called his ‘Spiritual Practices’.”

All this is leading the church’s adherents into mystical experiences, an emptying of the mind, akin to the Popish practice of Taizé, which Alain Emerson led the practicing of in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Belfast back in February of this year. The picture below shows him leading the service in that hub of Romanism.

And Lectio Divina is a process heartily recommended by the previous Pope, Benedict XVI, who said: “I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart.”

What Lectio Divina teaches is of some new revelation from God to the reader, despite the fact we have a full revelation in the Bible, which God’s Word itself attests.

Revelation 22:18-19 says: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

We are not to add to or take from the Word of God, but this is what Lectio Divina does, often encouraging the reader to boil down the passage they are reading to one or two words or a single phrase, repeating it over and over to help enter a trance like state.

As well as there being no new revelation from God, we need no new revelation from God as His Word is perfect.

Look at Psalm 19:7-14: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord , my strength, and my redeemer.”

David yearned for the meditation of his heart to be acceptable to God, but the meditative practices espoused by Romish monks, Pope Benedict XVI and Dave Wylie are most certainly not acceptable unto God.

There appears to be consistently polluted worship being offered up in Emmanuel Church and we would implore all readers to warn their friends, family and neighbours to stay clear of this and other churches where such blasphemy is taught.

Such polluted worship is condemned in very strong terms by God, and a great example of this is in the prophecy of Amos, when he, under God’s instruction, said in Amos 5:21-23: “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.”

Such churches are notable for the emphasis on ‘praise’ music, where as loud a racket as possible is made in the name of worship of God, but is in fact more akin to a rock concert.

Dear reader, please turn away from churches which are teaching such mysticism and Romanism, and instead focus on what the Bible actually has to say, and not what some would-be theologians prattle on about, leading many poor souls astray.

1 Timothy 4:1: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”.

Canon Mark Harvey brings Romanist priest into Lurgan Church of Ireland

There was much consternation last month after it was revealed that a Romanist priest had been brought into a service marking the addition of more than 200 people who lost their lives during the two world wars to the war memorial in Lurgan, County Armagh.

The pro-abortion and ardent fan of liaising with Popery, Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie, brought the matter to light in his rage against any who would seek to defend Biblical Christianity.

It would appear a service was held at the war memorial before a further service then took place in Shankill Parish Church in the town. At this service, a leading Papist, Canon Liam Stevenson, was then asked to take the pulpit and lead part of the service in the supposedly Protestant church, where the minister is Canon Mark Harvey.

Taking to Twitter in what appeared to be a risible, politically motivated rant, Doug Beattie lambasted DUP politicians who did not stay for the church service, although of course any who didn’t stay for it were entirely correct to do so.

Equally, any who did stay for it should hang their head in shame.

Ranting on his Twitter page, Doug Beattie said: “Disappointed that some DUP councillors couldn’t attend the church service after the War Memorial dedication because it was cross community. It was cross community in the trenches… maybe they need to remember that.”

Now of course Doug Beattie is correct to say people of all religious persuasions fought in the trenches, but that is to miss the point.

The issue at stake here is religious purity, and to invite an emissary of the false religion of Rome to take part in a church service is to endorse that system and to present it as an acceptable form of religion and as an appropriate church with which to share worship.

It is manifestly untrue for anyone to say Rome is anything other than a false religion, giving false hope to its hundreds of millions of adherents.

And any of the dear Roman Catholics who were killed in the war who were clinging to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church were doomed to hell by the priest who taught them the lies they were placing their faith in.

And it is just the same today, any dear Roman Catholic placing their faith in what the Roman Catholic Church is teaching them is facing the same lost eternity.

To share a podium or attend a meeting where such a deceiver is given the floor is to endorse his deceit and join in the bloodguiltiness of that Papist preacher.

2 John 1:9-11 says: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Canon Mark Harvey, rector of Shankill Parish Church, gleefully made himself partaker of the evil deeds of Rome, and not only that, all who sat through that Papist taking the platform were also made partakers of the evil deeds of Rome.

It is no surprise to see Canon Mark Harvey inviting such a character into the pulpit he usually occupies, as we have previously written about his brazen, God-defying ecumenical conduct.

Last summer, he was among the speakers at the ungodly New Wine Conference in Sligo, at which no less than three emissaries of Papal deceit were invited speakers.

And we also revealed that Canon Mark Harvey is an ecumenical canon in Down Cathedral, being installed in 2015 together with a Romanist Benedictine monk. The picture at the top of this article shows Canon Mark Harvey in the middle, with the Papist monk pictured to the left.

Not only that, earlier this year, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Canon Mark Harvey had the former UK Ambassador to the Pope himself, Catholic layman Francis Campbell, in Shankill Parish Church to speak.

Disgracefully, this event was organised by the Royal British Legion, demonstrating the shameful neglecting of the defence of Protestantism being carried out by so many organisations entrusted with that very responsibility.

Shame on the Royal British Legion in that area for arranging for an emissary of Papal deceit to take part in that event.

However, while Canon Mark Harvey, Doug Beattie and others were busy doing obeisance to Romanism, there was a band which refused to enter into the church when they realised a Papist was taking part.

In the comments following his initial Twitter rage, Doug Beattie felt the need to lambast the band for refusing to enter the church, however, this was the living embodiment of that Scriptural stance outlined in Hebrews 13:13, which says: “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.”

The band in question is Moneyslane Flute Band, based in County Down, and they are to be commended for taking their stand and refusing to have any fellowship with the works of darkness.

One must assume there is a Christian influence within that band and we wholeheartedly praise them for refusing to consort with or wink at Popery.

However, Doug Beattie is like those in Romans 1:18 who “hold the truth in unrighteousness”.

When anyone takes a stand for the truth of Christ, they can expect opposition and criticism to come.

Regardless of the opposition, let us follow the advice of Paul to the Galatians, when he wrote, under the inspiration of God, in Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Sadly, so many are letting go and esteeming not the glorious privileges they have inherited from their forefathers.

Once again we can see Ulster being entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

The reversal of the Reformation, which is the aim of the Papacy and of a shameful number of allegedly Protestant clerics and their followers, is picking up pace.

The freedom which came through the glorious Protestant Reformation and through various other revivals throughout the centuries since is slowly being frittered away.

It is up to those of us who are saved, as God’s children to stand in the gap and ensure no more ground is ceded to the enemies of Christ, and even strive, under God, to reclaim lost territory to the workers of apostasy and ecumenism.

Let us even follow the example set out by Eleazar, one of the mightiest of David’s mighty men.

So determined was he to defend the land God had given him and his people, he refused to concede even a small patch of ground where barley grew.

It may not have been considered overly important to others, but this was the land God had promised the children of Israel, and he was not willing to let it fall into the hands of the enemies of Christ.

1 Chronicles 11:12-14 says: “And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties. He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the Lord saved them by a great deliverance.”

We need a great deliverance in our day and generation, and that can only be obtained if the people of God take their stand for Christ.

It will not be obtained by compromise with the enemies of Christ.

Emmanuel leader Alain Emerson glorifies Jesuit founder and Counter Reformation leader, Ignatius of Loyola

The lead pastor of the Emmanuel Church in the Craigavon area, Alain Emerson, has glorified the founder of the notorious Roman Catholic Jesuit Order, Ignatius of Loyola, and led his church’s followers in following his practices.

On this page we have previously described Alain Emerson as Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson, due to his repeated association with Romanism.

This is a moniker he has well and truly earned.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson has previously spoken in a Roman Catholic chapel in Belfast (the scene of which is pictured below) as part of the ecumenical ‘Four Corners Festival’, at which he endorsed the ecumenical, anti-Christian, ritualistic, Taizé style of prayer.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson has organised an ecumenical prayer initiative called ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ under the auspices of the 24-7 Prayer movement, a grouping whose leader, Pete Greig, is helping the Roman Catholic Church in Austria gain more followers.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson has spoken at a meeting of the ecumenical Ballymena Church Members Forum, a group comprised of Romanists and whose meetings are advertised in the Roman Catholic parish bulletin for Ballymena.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson has endorsed the ecumenical ‘Heal The Land’ prayer initiative, which a Roman Catholic group also endorsed, with a video featuring its leader encouraging Roman Catholics to attend being uploaded on the ‘Heal The Land’ facebook page.

All of those things were disgraceful in their own right for the leader of a supposedly God-exalting church to be engaging in.

However, this latest act of Popery, and it can be called nothing else, is by far the most grievous and anti-Scriptural activity he has engaged in yet.

In fact, we would go so far as to say it is the single worst act of betrayal of true Christianity we have came across yet on this page. It is truly outrageous.

In the meeting, which he held on Sunday night past, 4th November in the Lurgan Emmanuel Church (there are two, the other being in the nearby town of Portadown), he led his followers in practising the ‘Examen’, a prayer ritual devised by Ignatius of Loyola.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson also extolled the virtues of Ignatius of Loyola, who is the founder and original leader of the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, the order which led the Counter Reformation under the Pope’s authority.

This is the group which sought to snuff out the light of the gospel which God had gloriously unveiled through Martin Luther and many others during the Protestant Reformation.

They did it by any means possible, and the Jesuits were leading figures in the bloody Spanish Inquisition, in which untold millions of Protestants, Jews and Muslims were tortured, maimed and murdered.

It is noteworthy that Bertrand Russell, a Noble Prize winning author and historian, in his ‘A History of Western Philosophy’, stated this of the Jesuits: “Protestant success, at first amazingly rapid, was checked mainly as a result of Loyola’s creation of the Jesuit order.”

So this is the grouping which, responding to the rise of true Christianity, ie Protestantism, acted to ensure the enlightenment of precious, never-dying souls, was restricted as much as possible, and they were noted to be successful in doing so, and thus leading millions of souls to hell.

And Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson is teaching his church’s adherents to follow in their founder’s footsteps.

During his sermon (which you can hear online by visiting their website, clicking on the ‘resources’ tab and then on podcasts), he says to his audience about “a dude called Ignatius of Loyola”.

And this is what Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson then says a couple of minutes later about him.

“He had some profound mystical experiences, and it was in those mystical experiences that he wrote what’s called his ‘Spiritual Practices’.

“Now the reason I want to say this is, I feel that we are having some profound times with Jesus these days and I think there’s more profound times with Jesus to come, where He wants to completely undo us with His love.”

We’ll just cut into Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson’s spiel here and say not to worry if you don’t understand what the previous paragraph means, because it means nothing. It’s gibberish intended to sound deep and spiritual so as to impress those listening, but it really is as deep as a teaspoon of water.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson continues: “And when that happens you have to steward that well and you have to have certain practices in place that don’t take that for granted. That allow us to engage with that and train others to do that and this is what Ignatius is doing.

“He has encountered something fresh of the Lord.

“It’s through him that when he goes to university in Paris and he starts to gather a few friends and they start to pray and get passionate for Jesus together that they start this, what we know as the Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, which has gone on to send missionaries all over the world.”

We’ll just point out that at no stage has Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson stated that the Jesuits are a Roman Catholic order, and at no point does he even use the words “Roman Catholic”. This is quite deliberate and it becomes clear this is quite deliberate with his next breath.

He says: “So remember this is probably round the time of the Reformation, so they’re all trying to work it out.”

They’re all trying to work it out?!? Is that Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson’s assessment of the Reformation period?

The Reformation was not about “trying to work it out”, the Reformation was when the shackles of Rome’s false gospel of salvation by works and devotion to her was thrown off gloriously throughout large chunks of Europe. It was God moving mightily to the saving of countless precious souls.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson also says there it was “probably round the time of the Reformation”. He knows rightly that it was or he wouldn’t have mentioned it in the first place. In his sermon he points out the year Ignatius of Loyola was born so he knows exactly when he was active.

Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson continues further: “There’s been huge problems with the church of that day. The Reformation has been a reaction to that but also within that there was certain moments and certain men like this who wanted the real thing, who wanted Jesus more than anything else pushed into his heart, pushed into his presence, were changed and transformed and led others in it.”

Ignatius of Loyola “wanted the real thing?” Ignatius of Loyola determinedly did not want the real thing as his mission from the Pope was to crush the doctrine of salvation by faith alone and all who believed in it.

And so on the heresy goes from Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson, as he says: “I love the fact that then he writes the ‘Spiritual Practices’.

“Isn’t it brilliant in that time of, you know, history, that people kind of argued over things like how to become like Jesus. Today we argue over theology, what we believe and what we don’t believe. In that day people argued over what was the best way or practice, or set of exercises to become like Jesus.

“That would be a far better argument, wouldn’t it? It would be a far better argument to go, well, is it this way or is it that way? That was the argument, and while it mightn’t have been nice all the time, at least it was about how to become like Jesus, not about who’s right.”

The Reformation period was precisely about theology and what was right and what was wrong.

The Bible clearly states salvation is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9) and that is the principle on which the Reformers stood.

Rome states that any who believes in the doctrine of salvation by faith alone are to be “anathema”, pronouncing their curses on such as heretics.

The Reformation was absolutely about what we believe.

Rome had no interest in being like Jesus, it was only interested in its own superiority and hegemony throughout Europe.

And to say “it mightn’t have been nice all the time” is not even an understatement, it’s a disgraceful and wilful effort to mislead his followers.

The Jesuits figured prominently in the murder and maiming of millions during the centuries-long Inquisition held by the Roman Catholic Church.

They struck out against true Christianity and were famed for their torture of those who disagreed with the false religion of Rome.

Yet Alain Emerson wants his followers to copy the ‘Spiritual Practices’ of that bloodthirsty order’s founder. He says “he loves the fact” that Ignatius of Loyola wrote them.

These ‘Spiritual Practices’ contain the worship of Mary, the reciting of the ‘Hail Mary’ as well as instructing people to do the rosary. Perhaps this will be next at Emmanuel Church in Lurgan and Portadown?

Has Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson been preparing the way with all his ecumenical conduct to allow such practices to take place?

He certainly has attendees of Emmanuel taking part in the spiritual practices of one of the most evil men who ever lived.

Perhaps a hint of his admiration of Jesuitry can be seen through his Twitter posting from 21 August, where he quotes a noted Jesuit priest, called Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (pictured, below). Interestingly, the same Papist was quoted by the preacher of error, Bishop Michael Curry, in his wedding ‘sermon’ during the marriage ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The worship of Mary is nowhere taught in the Bible. In fact, the Bible is clear we are to “have no other gods” in Exodus 20:3.

1 Timothy 2:5 says: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”.

We don’t go through Mary to get to God, despite what Ignatius of Loyola claimed.

Indeed, on a website called ‘Jesuits in Ireland’, his devotion to Mary is clearly stated.

In an article entitled ‘Mary – How she made a new man of Ignatius’, it says: “As for the founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, he had such a lasting devotion to Our Lady that we could say every month was Mary’s month for Ignatius. Mary played a vital role in the calling and vocation of Ignatius. Long before he was ordained a priest or founded the Jesuits, he had already developed a deep affection for the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

Let us state clearly, this is from an article written by Jesuits celebrating Ignatius of Loyola. Mary worship is a despicable heresy and rejection of God’s Word. But it is in the ‘Spiritual Practices’ of Ignatius of Loyola, the practices Alain ‘Ecumenical’ Emerson is imploring his followers to adhere to.

If you or anyone you know is caught up in the church ran by this man, we implore you to withdraw from it immediately and for you to implore everyone you know involved in it to do the same.

He is like those in Matthew 15:7-9, of whom Jesus says: “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

Teaching such falsehoods makes someone a false teacher, such as were warned of in 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Those verses say: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Is not Alain Emerson privily bringing in damnable heresies? How many people in Emmanuel Church on Sunday night were wise to his deceits? We would venture to say there were very few, if any.

Alain Emerson carefully refused to say the words “Roman Catholic” throughout. He deliberately misled those listening about the Reformation and Loyola’s inextricable links to opposing it. This is because he knows there would have been those present most likely for whom alarm bells would have been going off.

Mind you, the word Jesuit should surely have been enough to sound alarm bells in people’s minds. The current Pope is a Jesuit, something which was dwelled upon at the time the current Pope took over that blasphemous position.

But those in attendance are the many following his “pernicious ways” and this is leading those who follow it to one place – damnation.

What a frightful thought that is.

We would encourage everyone reading this to go back to our Facebook page and share this to warn as many as possible of the dreadful heresy being preached in that church to try to pull the attendees as brands from the burning out of the clutches of this grievous false prophet.

This is an urgent matter, and one not to be delayed upon, for the precious souls of men and women are at stake.

Ezekiel 12:21-28 highlights how we don’t know when God will move in judgment against those prophesying lies and those who choose to believe them.

“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision. For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God. Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off. Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.”

Let us not be too late in our warnings to those who are under the influence of church leaders teaching such damnable heresies as the practices of an evil, bloodthirsty, Mary-worshipping, Papist.

Church of Ireland Canons Mark Harvey and Henry Blair cosy up with Rome at ‘New Wine’ Conference

There really is what might be called, in footballing terms, a “star-studded line-up” of ecumenists and easy-believist preachers due to descend on Sligo next month for the ‘New Wine’ Conference.

Numerous characters well grounded in compromise with Rome are prominent on the guest list.

Earlier this month we focused on two of the Lead Pastors in the Emmanuel Church in the Craigavon area who are listed as speakers at the event, Philip Emerson and Dave Wylie. They are following in the well-trodden ecumenical footsteps of Alain Emerson, the other Lead Pastor in that church.

Of course, at least three Romanists are on the speaker list, including a Roman Catholic bishop and a representative of Clonard Monastery in west Belfast.

And among the other figures taking part in this shameful ecumenical compromise are two Canons in the Church of Ireland.

One of these is Canon Henry Blair of Magheraculmoney Parish Church in County Fermanagh.

Canon Henry Blair took part in an ecumenical Easter service this year, and he was recently promoted by his Diocese of Clogher to the Chapter of Clogher Cathedral, where a woman (1 Timothy 2:12), ‘Reverend’ Olivia Downey, was last month installed as Rector (or should that be Wrecker?!).

The other is Canon Mark Harvey, Rector of Shankill Parish Church in Lurgan.

Canon Mark Harvey is also no stranger to ecumenical compromise, having invited the former British Ambassador to the Pope himself, Roman Catholic layman Francis Campbell to speak at a meeting to celebrate the God-defying Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

And now they will further entwine themselves with Rome at this ‘New Wine’ Conference, which will run from 8-13 July.

These men are brazenly defying God’s Word, and doing so repeatedly, as we have already demonstrated.

Ephesians 5:11 commands us: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Rather than speaking alongside Rome at this ‘New Wine’ Conference, Canon Henry Blair and Canon Mark Harvey should be speaking out against Rome.

What a dreadful betrayal of their Protestant heritage!

Indeed, Canon Mark Harvey’s betrayal of Biblical Protestantism, which is true Christianity, goes much deeper.

He is a Canon at Down Cathedral and was installed at the same time as two ecumenical canons, one of them a Methodist minister, a Rev John Alderdice (that name seems to be a byword for God-defiance – see here) and the other, most disgracefully, a Romanist Benedictine monk called ‘Brother’ Eric Loisel, based at Holy Cross Monastery in Rostrevor, County Down.

Our photograph at the top of this article shows a smiling Canon Mark Harvey pictured between ‘Brother’ Loisel and Rev John Alderdice at their installation as canons.

This service took place on 23 April, 2015 and, according to the Down Cathedral’s website report, saw ‘Holy Communion’ take place, though it was a service clearly much polluted, even just by the presence of a Romanist who can not eat justly of the Lord’s Supper.

1 Corinthians 11:27,29 says: “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

These men, so highly lifted up within their church, yet so much at odds with God’s precepts, are as those senior figures within the children of Israel who approached Ezekiel, claiming they wished to hear God’s Word.

Ezekiel 14:1-6: “Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me. And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God ; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”

God will not be “enquired of” by them because they have put the stumblingblock of their iniquitous collusion with Rome before themselves.

However, there is hope for all those who reject God through their ecumenical compromise.

When God pronounces His judgements, He very often shews forth His mercy too, and this passage in Ezekiel is no different.

Verse 11 of the chapter sees God showing why He will act against the polluters of true worship in the land – it is so He can bring the children of Israel closer to Himself.

It says: “That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord God.”

If you are involved with a church involved in ecumenical compromise or perhaps take part in it yourself, we would urge you to follow the Scriptural command to withdraw yourself from among it and “touch not the unclean thing” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

And if you are as yet unsaved, it is our hope and prayer that you will turn in faith to Christ, and call upon Him for forgiveness of your sins.

God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

He says in Ezekiel 18:23: “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”

Therefore, won’t you listen to His urging and take His promise to the penitent?

Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Emmanuel leader Alain Emerson endorses anti-Christian worship style at ecumenical meeting in Roman Catholic Church

Ten days ago we focused on the leader of the Emmanuel Church in Lurgan, Alain Emerson, leading a service in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Belfast.

He was there as part of the annual ecumenical talking shop called the ‘Four Corners Festival’.

At that time we dealt with the folly of the leader of a church which claims to be God exalting engaging with the Roman Catholic Church, when we are instructed in the Bible rather to reprove “the unfruitful works of darkness”, which Rome undoubtedly is.

However, we have been contacted by a reader of our page to inform us of another aspect of that evening which is just as troubling as the meeting itself having taken place.

This is the inclusion of ‘Taizé’ worship in the service.

Don’t know what it is? We don’t blame you. We hadn’t heard of it either. However, on examination, it is a most dangerous and rather sinister thing.

Taizé takes its name from the village in France in which the monastic community was formed by a ‘Protestant’ called ‘Brother Roger’ in 1940. It is an ecumenical grouping, with members from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. The current leader is a Catholic.

Its form of worship includes sung and chanted prayers (with prayers consisting of “short chants, repeated again and again”), meditation, periods of silence, liturgical readings and icons. There is no preaching.

Such vain repetition is warned against by Jesus. He said in Matthew 6:7: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” So this is a heathen practice.

Meditation, meanwhile, in this sense, is an unscriptural concept. We ought to meditate on God’s Word, but this type of meditation involves emptying your mind and is akin to some of the false eastern religions.

The use of icons is a Romanist practice and a direct contradiction of the Second Commandment. Exodus 20:4 says: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:”

One would imagine that is pretty straightforward, but clearly not so for Alain Emerson, who evidently endorses Taizé worship.

This sort of ritualistic ‘worship’ has absolutely NO grounding in the Word of God.

As for the absence of preaching, the Bible says in Romans 10:17: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The importance of preaching is laid out clearly in 1 Corinthians:18,21. It says: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

Preaching is God’s ordained method of bringing sinners to Himself, this corrupt form of worship cannot achieve that, it is a pagan substitute for Biblical worship of God and therefore must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

So, too, must be its advocates and practitioners such as Alain Emerson and the question must be asked – is this what goes on in his Emmanuel Church?

We previously mentioned various serious issues with this so-called church, which we plan to address at a later date, as the Lord leads us, but major question marks must be placed over the organisation due to this one matter on its own.

We would implore any readers of this post who perhaps know someone connected with this Emmanuel Church to please share this with them to warn them of the Biblically improper conduct of Alain Emerson and to encourage them to withdraw from this fellowship.

Emmanuel leader Alain Emerson makes friends with Rome

The big event in the ecumenical calendar so far this month has been the Four Corners Festival in Belfast, which has ran from 1st February and concludes tomorrow (Sunday, 11th February).

It is a crossover between religion and politics and is organised and attended by lots of worthies who don’t really have much by way of strong convictions, except that everyone should just accept that all religions have merit, regardless of whether they’ll send you to hell. And of course that telling people they’re sinners is awfully impolite.

The two main figures behind it are a Presbyterian minister called Rev Steve Stockman and a Jesuit priest by the name of ‘Father’ Martin Magill. That’s right, a Jesuit, the Roman Catholic order which led the Counter Reformation, the charge to snuff out the light of the gospel gloriously unveiled through Martin Luther and others.

A host of events have been held so far and tonight (Saturday, 10th February) there is a most interesting occasion.

Pastor Alain Emerson, leader of the Emmanuel Church, a non-denominational church in the Craigavon area, but one which claims to uphold the truth of Christ, is going to be speaking at a service in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church on Donegall Street in Belfast.

The purpose of the event is to plug a book he’s written, called ‘Luminous Dark’.

It addresses the loss he suffered when his 23 year old wife sadly passed away, and, while we have not read the book, we certainly have no issue with the principle of anyone trying to help others coping with bereavement.

What we do have issue with is a leader of what claims to be a God glorifying church giving legitimacy to the deceit of Rome by addressing a meeting there.

David, the Psalmist, extolled the virtue of avoiding associating with the unrighteous in Psalm 26:4-5 when, under the inspiration of God, he said: “I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked.”

If it was right for David to practice so, then surely it is right for us as well.

The Emmanuel Church, which has its main congregation in Lurgan with a new one just started in Portadown, is a very modern church which eschews suits and ties, female head coverings, traditional hymns, the Authorised Version of the Bible, traditional gender roles within the church and traditional Bible teaching. Meetings often take the form of soft rock concerts. This itself is something we will perhaps revisit in another posting.

As is often the case with such modern churches, it is very social media savvy, regularly updating its Facebook and Twitter pages and sharing information on all manner of meetings. Its online calendar is packed with various events as well.

However, conspicuous by its absence from any of the church’s online platforms is Alain Emerson’s attendance at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. There is the same glaring absence from Alain Emerson’s own Twitter page.

Why might this be? It’s not as if either Alain Emerson or the Emmanuel Church are infrequent social media posters. It’s not as if it’s a last minute appointment he has been unable to publicise in time.

Is Alain Emerson and / or the Emmanuel Church trying to keep it a secret? Surely he would want as many people as possible to be informed of a meeting at which he is discussing such an important topic?

Among the services being held today in St Patrick’s is the Confessional, where the priest claims to have authority to intercede on our behalf and forgive our sins, and the celebration of the blasphemous Mass, where the priest, according to his ritual, crucifies our Lord again, despite the Bible saying of Christ in Hebrews 10:12 – “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God”.

If Alain Emerson gets down early for the meeting, perhaps he’ll be able to catch one or other of these.

His attendance may be kept a secret from many, but nothing is secret from God. Jeremiah 16:17 says: “For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.”

Those are sobering words for us all, and we must all be conscious of the fact that God is all-seeing and all-knowing.

If anyone reading this has a connection with the Emmanuel Church or knows someone who is connected with the church, please share this with them and ensure Alain Emerson is taken to task for tacitly endorsing the deceit of Rome.

Jude v 23: “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

EDIT: We have just been made aware that Alain Emerson posted on his Twitter page late on Saturday morning to express his excitement at attending the “beautiful candlelit St Patrick’s Church” as part of the “brilliant” Four Corners Festival. This was shortly after this post had been completed, but before it was posted. We are happy to accept Alain Emerson had mentioned his attendance prior to the meeting taking place.

However, we would call on any worshippers connected with Emmanuel to question him directly on the appropriateness of his speaking in a Roman Catholic Church.

A prayer for Christians to unite around: ‘No peace with Rome’

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity took up a significant part of ecclesiastical efforts in the mainstream churches of Northern Ireland in the latter stages of January.

Worshippers of various different hues shared in services with the stated aim of promoting unity between those carrying the banner of ‘Christian’.

One might respond to that: ‘Sure, isn’t that great? Would you not want everyone to be united?’ However, these ecumenical meetings are contrary to God’s Word and are rendered as such, in fact, to be anti-Christian.

Services were held in Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and other churches throughout Ulster.

The theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was “That all may be free”, however, the ecumenists leading these meetings are preaching “another gospel”, and not seeking the Word of God, with the effect of trapping worshippers in the bondage of idolatry. Jesus said in John 8:31-32: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

There is no truth in the “another gospel” of ecumenism.

Given it was a week of prayer, it is surely a valid question to ask to whom were these people praying. The Bible states in 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” However, the Roman Catholic Church teaches of prayer to Mary and to saints. So a Roman Catholic beside a Protestant in the meeting could be praying to different beings. What confusion!

We will briefly give a rundown of some of the meetings and their principal speakers held across this province during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:

Armagh Church of Ireland Cathedral – Roman Catholic ‘Father’ Kieran McDermott, administrator of St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin was the speaker.

Shankill Parish Church, Lurgan (Church of Ireland) – Roman Catholic Church layman and former British Ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Campbell.

St Patrick’s RC Chapel, Donaghmore – ‘Rev’ Lesley Carroll, ‘minister’ of Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church.

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Monea (County Fermanagh) – Hosted by ‘Father’ Jimmy McPhillips, guest speaker was Canon David Skuce, Inishmacsaint Parish Church (CoI) and the Bible reading was by Rev Sampson Ajuka, Devenish and Boho Parish Church (CoI).

We know of several others held in various other places throughout the country, including Limavady, Moneyreagh and others, but trust this gives a flavour of what we’re talking about, while also demonstrating how widespread this is.

So-called Protestant churches are selling themselves to Rome, rushing into her arms. One has to wonder why this is?

Part of the reason in ‘peace process’ Northern Ireland is surely a desire to be considered cross-community friendly (ie Protestants and Catholics getting on with each other). Surely the kindest thing we can do with our Roman Catholic neighbours is show them the errors of their church and outline the glory of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

It must also be feared a crucial reason is these people don’t know their Bible.

As is always important, the question must be asked: “What saith the scripture?” (Romans 4:3).

The Bible says in Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

We are further instructed in the book of Jude verse 3 that we “should earnestly contend for the faith”.

Does cosying up with the church of Rome, with its tyrannical gospel of works, exaltation of the Pope, worship of Mary, blasphemy of the Mass, fictitious creation of Purgatory and its deceits and superstitions of relics and idols, count as “earnestly contending for the faith” or is it rather having “fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness”?

We trust it is clear as to which it is.

As for the individual so-called Protestant clergy and churches involved in the services above, it is clear they have disregarded their ordination oaths and the principles to which they signed up when they begin their vocation.

Perhaps of particular interest is the ‘Rev’ Dr Lesley Carroll, a Presbyterian clergy woman (a contradiction in terms, of course). She is holding a position to which she is not entitled for starters (1 Timothy 2:12) but is also an advocate of liberalising abortion law. Abortion is a euphemism for the massacre of the unborn, but this clergy woman wants an “emphasis on choice” for expectant mothers.

Presbyterian ministers, when ordained, are required to sign the Westminster Confession of Faith. In paragraph 25, chapter 6. It states: “There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ; nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself, in the church, against Christ and all that is called God.”

Similarly, the ’39 Articles’ are the governing precepts of the Anglican movement (which includes the Church of Ireland). The 31st of these makes clear its view of the Roman Catholic Church and makes it all the more inexplicable why such close links are forged between the two.

Article 31 states: “The Offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone.

“Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits.”

It is our desire that anyone reading this associated with those churches challenge those in leadership and force them to articulate their view clearly and definitively, and ultimately to follow the advice of 2 Corinthians 6:17 to “come out from among them and be ye separate… and touch not the unclean thing”.

Also, if you are associated with any other denomination and hear no voice of condemnation, then lift up your own voice and make sure it is heard loud and clear:

“There can be no peace with Rome until Rome makes peace with God.”