Another fault-line issue was raised when the chairman of the Catholic bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family, Bishop Christopher Jones, reiterated his Church’s opposition to same-sex marriages. To muddy the waters further the Church of Ireland Changing Attitude Ireland group has strongly supported the extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples. Again this week lobby group Social Justice Ireland published a critique of Government economic policy suggesting that it is creating a fractured society, a weak economy and persistently high unemployment. SJI also warned that Ireland has seen the single biggest transfer of resources in history from low- and middle-income people to the rich and powerful. [Continue Reading]
In the Press
Coverage of Changing Attitude Ireland's work in the press, with most recent articles appearing first. For an overview of all press coverage on one page, visit the In the Press sitemap page.
Guardian: The radical evangelical whose support for gay marriage is rocking his field
January 23, 2013
When evangelical leader Steve Chalke announced his support for monogamous same-sex relationships last week, the news was received with some surprise by the mainstream press. While the Church of England continues its characteristically sluggish machinations on the matter and Tory attempts to legislate a way through a complex cultural moment falter, few expected an evangelical minister to make the next move. [Continue Reading]
Belfast Telegraph: Homophobia is new sectarianism in Northern Ireland
August 20, 2012
A veteran Church of Ireland cleric has backed David Cameron’s calls for same sex marriage – saying homophobia has become Northern Ireland’s “new sectarianism”. Canon Charles Kenny has spoken out about the attitude to the gay community from within his own Church, claiming that bias was distorting the Christian message. Canon Kenny, who retired from Belfast’s St Anne’s Cathedral in 2000, told the Belfast Telegraph: “The same failings of the Christian Church, and the presentation of the Gospel, which led to sectarianism in the past are playing again now in relation to homophobia.” [Continue Reading]
Belfast Telegraph: Bishops back ‘traditional marriage’
March 12, 2012
THE Church of Ireland has underlined its commitment to marriage as being between a man and a woman following its major weekend conference on human sexuality. A joint statement from the Primate Archbishop Alan Harper and the Archbishop of Dublin Dr Michael Jackson stressed that “the church’s position on marriage as being the union of one man and one woman remains constant”. [Continue Reading]
Belfast Telegraph: We have not barred gays from conference on sexuality: Church
March 10, 2012
THE Church of Ireland has denied claims that a conference this weekend on human sexuality has deliberately excluded gays from its list of speakers. The two-day conference, which began in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Co Cavan last night, is for members of the General Synod. Some 450 of the 600-strong body are attending. [Continue Reading]
Irish Times: Ban on church youth work for gay man criticised
September 24, 2011
THE BANNING of an openly gay man from volunteering for work with youth groups at Methodist and Church of Ireland churches in Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh, has been criticised by the Church of Ireland pro-gay Changing Attitude Ireland group. [Continue Reading]
Belfast News Letter: Public cash for CoI lobbyists
September 22, 2011
ONE of the main groups in the Church of Ireland’s debate about whether it should accept clergy in same-sex partnerships has received thousand of pounds of public funds. Documents released to the News Letter under the Freedom of Information Act show that money went from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and Belfast City Council to the lobby group Changing Attitude Ireland. [Continue Reading]
Belfast Telegraph: Advances made but the fight for rights not over
July 29, 2011
Tomorrow sees the 21st annual Belfast Gay Pride Parade. From nervous and tiny beginnings, it has become a bold and loud celebration appealing to all ages and outlooks (bar one), adding another bright touch to Belfast in July. Its family-friendly carnival alongside the Lagan Lookout on Saturday afternoon is free, and open to all who want to share our enjoyment. Despite the glamour and glitz, the Pride Festival with its numerous events during this week remains true to our concerns for human rights and the future prospects of all GLBT people, and for our society in general. It is also a showcase for the community’s varied artistic and cultural talents. [Continue Reading]
Belfast Telegraph: Church’s guidance for parents of gay kids
May 13, 2011
A new booklet which aims to give advice to Church of Ireland parents who find out their child is gay will be launched at the General Synod today. I Think My Son Or Daughter Is Gay: Guidance For Parents Of Gay Children In The Church Of Ireland, has been written by Gerry Lynch from Changing Attitude Ireland, an organisation which campaigns for the inclusion of gay people in the Church. One such parent is Paul Rowlandson, whose youngest daughter Katherine (31) came out as a lesbian when she was 16. [Continue Reading]
Church of Ireland Gazette: Church cool over demands from Changing Attitude Ireland
January 20, 2011
The group, Changing Attitude Ireland (CAI), which describes itself as “a network of persons, gay and heterosexual, working for the full affirmation of gay and lesbian persons in the church of Ireland and other Christian denominations”, has welcomed the introduction of civil Partnership in the Republic of Ireland at the beginning of this month, but has also called on any new Irish Government to upgrade the Act to match what has been available in Northern Ireland since 2005. [Continue Reading]
