Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

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.

Media Reminder:

There will be a media briefing and photo opportunity at the opening of the conference at 2.00pm on Friday 9th March, and at the conclusion of the conference at 5.15pm on Saturday 10th March 2012 at the Slieve Russell Hotel. Those members of the media who wish to attend either or both but who have not yet registered, please register by the end of today, Thursday 8 March, by contacting: Jenny Compston or Paul Harron at the Church of Ireland Press Office. Telephone: 028 (048 from RoI) 90 828 880 or Duty Mobile: +44 (0) 7787881582.

Note to Editors:

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