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Submission made by Changing Attitude Ireland to the Hard Gospel Committee
The Revd. Mervyn Kingston (Secretary of CAI) explained to the Hard Gospel Committee that Changing Attitude Ireland (CAI) is an all-Ireland network of Christian persons, gay and straight, lay and ordained, working for the full affirmation of gay and lesbian persons in the Church of Ireland. The Revd. Kingston advised that CAI articulates a liberal perspective on gay and lesbian inclusion, a perspective which he believes is shared by a substantial and growing proportion of persons in the Church of Ireland from lay people to Bishops, but which because of the sensitivity around this issue in Ireland, was largely only expressed publicly by courageous individuals until the formation of Changing Attitude Ireland. [Continue Reading]
The Irish News: Gay Pride parade attracts thousands
Changing Attitude Ireland, a new organisation representing gay Christians in Ireland, said they had decided to join Pride in response to the MPs remarks. “This is the first time our banner has been displayed at Pride in Belfast because it was important to increase our visibility and to show people that there are alternative Christian views than those espoused by Iris Robinson,” retired Church of Ireland minister, the Rev Mervyn Kingston, said. Organisers claimed the large turn-out was in response to the controversy stirred up by Mrs Robinson, who recently called homosexuality “an abomination”. [Continue Reading]
The Observer: Pride marchers mock anti-gay MP
Changing Attitude Ireland, a new organisation representing gay Christians throughout the island, said they had decided to join Pride in response to the MP’s remarks. ‘This is the first time our banner has been displayed at Pride in Belfast because it was important to increase our visibility and to show people that there are alternative Christian views than those espoused by Iris Robinson,’ said a retired Church of Ireland minister, the Rev Mervyn Kingston. He said there was growing support within the Church of Ireland for equality for gay people inside the Anglican Communion. ‘At the Church of Ireland synod in Galway last May we had a stall for the first time and I counted only three delegates who refused to take our leaflets and only one who objected to our presence,’ Kingston said, holding up a poster with the words: ‘Iris We Love You.’ [Continue Reading]
Irish Times: Rite & Reason
“Listening process vital to bring gay, lesbian clergy in from margins
The Church of Ireland has long held within its ranks gay and lesbian clergy. It is time to welcome them, and gay and lesbian laity as well, writes Mervyn Kingston. [Continue Reading]
Gay Clergy Count: Visibility and Listening in the Church of Ireland
By Mervyn Kingston, Search – A Church of Ireland Journal, Vol.31 Number 2. Summer 2008
How many gays and lesbians do you know? The reality is that gays and lesbians are to be found in every family, church and denomination. Look around and it will not be long before you see a gay son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt or uncle, nephew or niece, cousin or close friend. We all have them, but it is just that we may not know about them. If we are to be a truly open and inclusive church, then we need to find ways to welcome by our words and actions those who are often made to feel marginalised and isolated. [Continue Reading]