Stafford Carson : Presbyterian Pastor

After several hours of debate yesterday, commissioners at the Church of Scotland General Assembly voted by 351 to 294 to adopt a proposal which means a move towards the acceptance for training, induction and ordination of those in same-sex relationships for the ministry. The Assembly also voted by 393 to 252 to allow ministers and deacons in same-sex relationships ordained before 2009 to be inducted into pastoral charges.

A theological commission will be set up to bring recommendations to the 2013 General Assembly, as well as considering whether ministers should have freedom of conscience to bless civil partnerships and possible liturgy for such occasions.  As nothing has been formally enacted, the proposals do not need to consult the Kirk’s 46 presbyteries under the Barrier Act, but it does mark a significant departure from the Church’s traditional teaching, as acknowledged by the Commission’s report.

In presenting the report of the Special Commission, the convenor, Lord Patrick Hodge, reported that the commission had received a letter from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland confirming that their position was that sexual relations outside of marriage between a man and a woman are sinful. The PCI Moderator, Dr Norman Hamilton, spoke in the debate yesterday and affirmed the position of the Irish Presbyterian Church.

While the debate was well managed by the Moderator, Dr David Arnott, some of the speeches confirmed my worst fears about the views of many within the Church of Scotland. “We know better than the Bible” was the tone of one speech, and, as one speaker said, since the Bible had got it wrong on slavery, the role of women, and the death penalty for adultery, we should not be afraid to discard what it says about homosexuality. The speaker insisted that current scientific evidence makes it clear that homosexuality is perfectly natural and not sinful, and therefore homosexuals should not be barred from leadership in the church. Another speaker referred to the pastoral and prophetic insights of bisexual and transgender people.

One feels for the many conservative and evangelical people within the Church of Scotland who must be very hurt and depressed by their Assembly’s decision. The conservative voice was not prominent in the debate and an amendment by Rev Martin Allen was overwhelmingly rejected. What the response of the conservative wing of the Church of Scotland will be is unclear, but if ministers, elders and congregations withdraw in numbers as a result of this decision, it may seriously damage the Kirk. The evidence is that this kind of schism has not happened in the recent past, and may not happen now.

Undoubtedly this decision will affect how Irish Presbyterians view their Scottish counterparts, and the links with both the Church of Scotland and the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) following their recent decisions may become an issue for debate and discussion within PCI.

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A letter today from Mr Arthur Boyd, the Administrator of the Presbyterian Mutual Society, reports that over 99% of the PMS members and creditors voted in favour of the rescue package which was proposed to them. This package means that no saver with the PMS will have less than 77% of their savings returned to them immediately, and many will receive substantially more than that. The rescue package also allows for the possibility that, given favourable economic conditions in the next number of years, all savers will get 100% of their money back.

I have to say that this is a great outcome for everyone who has been involved in seeking a resolution to this crisis since it first began in October 2008. I pay tribute to my colleague, Rev Dr Donald Patton, who got the campaign going, to the Lobby Group under the leadership of Ian McGimpsey and Isobel White, to those who advised and supported me, and to our representatives in both Houses at Westminster who lobbied and campaigned for us. Particular thanks are due to members of the Northern Ireland Executive and especially to the former DETI Minister, Arlene Foster, and her officials for putting the details of the package together. And of course, Arthur Boyd, has played a leading role in getting us to this outcome. A big thank you to everyone who has worked so hard and so effectively.

What makes this a “bonus point win” is the fact that Mr Boyd reports that 33% of the PMS savers have voted to make an additional voluntary deferment, thereby raising the Church’s contribution to over £2 million and thus ensuring that all smaller savers with less than £20,000 in the Society will get all their money back. That gives me particular pleasure since the needs of the smaller savers have been our primary motivation in seeking a solution to this crisis.

Above all, we give thanks to Almighty God for answered prayer.

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The Administrator has given an update on the current state of play with regard to the Presbyterian Mutual Society. This is what he said:

I am pleased to be able to tell members and creditors that the Court has approved the process by which I will put a proposed Scheme of Arrangement to a vote. The proposed scheme is designed to facilitate the pay out of those sums provided by the Government and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland by way of financial assistance. I expect to be able to send the proposed scheme and voting papers to members and creditors next week. They will receive all the information necessary on which to make a decision to accept or reject the proposed scheme. If it is accepted, it will require to be sanctioned by the Court before payments can be made. At this stage it is not possible to be precise about timings, but all being well I hope to be in a position – if the scheme is approved – to process payments in late June/early July.

This should come as good news to all PMS savers. Once the details of the Scheme of Arrangement are unveiled, there will be a number of information and clarification meetings around the country to explain it, so that creditors will have a clear idea of exactly what they are being asked to approve. It may also need to be pointed out to them what the implications will be if they give a thumbs-down to the Scheme. The details, times and venues of those meetings will be sent out out to all savers by the Administrator.

It is my hope that creditors will vote in favour of the Scheme and that those congregations and individuals who are in a position to leave a small percentage of their money in the PMS for a few more years will do so. In that way, smaller savers will stand to get all their money back immediately. Throughout this campaign, that has been our goal, and with good co-operation all round, it can be achieved.

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It’s been a frustrating and generally unsatisfactory Six Nations campaign for Ireland this year. The team has shown that it has the ability to score tries, but it also has the unfortunate knack of conceding too many penalties. The frustration reached new heights last weekend with the illegal Welsh try which cost Ireland the match and left Irish supporters speechless.

Now it’s England coming to Dublin this weekend to wrap up the championship and possibly a “grand slam”. Can Ireland burst the English balloon and restore some pride in the green jersey ahead of a World Cup campaign?

Ulster representation on the Irish team this year  has been minimal, but Andrew Trimble’s selection on the left wing for this final match is one which will gladden Ulstermen everywhere. His performances for Ulster in recent weeks have been excellent, and he deserves his place. Since he didn’t go to play for another Irish province, most Ulster supporters still consider the right winger, Tommy Bowe, as “one of us” in spite of his defection to the Ospreys. And as a Monaghan man he is also an Ulsterman by right.

So we look forward to the two Ulstermen, Andrew and Tommy, doing the business for Ireland. Is it too much to hope for an Irish win on the week of St Patrick’s Day and to send the English home suitably subdued?

Update: Ireland won by 24 points to 8 and both Ulstermen put in great performances!

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Owen and Eunice Johns

A report in The Independent will be of interest to Christian people who hold to mainstream Christian views on sexual ethics. The paper has reported on how a Christian couple who are morally opposed to homosexuality because of their faith lost a High Court battle over the right to become foster carers.

Northern Ireland Foster Care reports that there are around 2,500 children and young people in care in Northern Ireland. Currently 1,700 of these children and young people being looked after by HSC Trusts are living with foster carers. There is an urgent need for more foster carers in Northern Ireland.

The question is: Can Christian couples who hold orthodox views on sexual morality apply to be foster carers? Or will they be excluded on the basis of their moral beliefs? Here’s the report from The Independent: Read more…

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