Issued: 20-12-06
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CHURCH LEADERS MEET MINISTER TO DISCUSS SEXUAL ORIENTATION REGULATIONS
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Senior Church Representatives from the Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Church
of Ireland and Methodist denominations met with Minister of State Mr David
Hanson yesterday, Tuesday 19 December, to discuss the Sexual Orientation
Regulations and how they apply to Churches.
Following the meeting the Church Leaders issued the following statement
today, Wednesday 20 December.
We appreciated yesterday’s (Tuesday 19 December) opportunity to discuss
with
Mr Hanson the implications of the Sexual Orientation Regulations. This
follows an earlier meeting with his officials in September during the
consultation period.
In an open and frank discussion lasting about one hour we stressed that all
our Churches respect and would seek to protect the civil, political, social
and religious rights of all persons irrespective of sexual orientation and
welcomed progress on such an agenda. However under the principle of
equality the rights and religious freedom of those with Christian belief
must be similarly protected.
We welcomed assurances that the regulations would not impinge on the
doctrines and practises of our various denominations, including the right of
teachers to present Christian doctrine and morals in schools. We also noted
the various exceptions within the regulations for religious organisations.
However, these exceptions do not apply to individual Christians, nor are we
convinced that they cover all circumstances in which the Churches will have
to be guided by their doctrinal standards or the sincerely held convictions
of a significant proportion of their adherents. We are concerned that the
Courts will be involved in deciding what is acceptable doctrine. This, of
course, will not only apply to those with Christian belief but other faith
groups also.
Also, we were not adequately assured that our concerns in relation to
services provided by our Churches as part of our Christian witness were
fully met. These include the provision of faith based adoption services,
care of older people, education and marriage counseling. We welcome the
invitation to discuss these in greater detail with departmental officials.
We note that within the Westminster parliamentary process there will be some
limited debate and a vote on these regulations in the early New Year. We
call on our politicians to fully engage in this debate in order to ensure a
balance of rights for all, including the protection of freedom of religion
and individual conscience as part of a diverse and plural society in which
everyone may feel an equal member.
We also expressed concern over the short time given for consultation on
proposed legislation in Northern Ireland and that, although similar
legislation in England is being reconsidered, it will be imposed on Northern
Ireland using direct rule powers despite the many objections of churches and
other groups. We were assured that when similar legislation in introduced
in Great Britain any differences between the regulations between there and
Northern Ireland will be addressed.
ISSUED BY STEPHEN LYNAS, PRESBYTERIAN INFORMATION SERVICE,
ON BEHALF OF THE FOUR CHURCH LEADERS
Stephen Lynas
Presbyterian Church Press Office
Church House
Belfast
BT1 6DW
Tel: 028 9032 2284
Fax: 028 9041 7307
www.presbyterianireland.org