IRELAND: VANCOUVER PRIEST WHO DEFIED PRO GAY BC BISHOP TO ADDRESS IRISH CLERGY

From: Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy

An Anglican cleric who led the protest against the blessing of same-sex unions is to address Church of Ireland clergy in the coming week.

The Rev. David Short, rector of St John's, Shaughnessy, Vancouver, made his protest after his Bishop in the Canadian diocese of New Westminster permitted rites for so-called 'gay marriages'.

His parish, along with ten others, formed a coalition, the Anglican Communion in New Westminster (ACiNW), which has been recognised by the past and present Archbishops of Canterbury. Currently, the ACiNW represents 25% of the worshipping community in New Westminster. Chief among their concerns is the departure from traditional Biblical Christian faith and morals within the Church and the threat to those who practice orthodox Anglican Christian faith.

Mr. Short will be addressing Church of Ireland clergy and lay readers at a lunchtime meeting in Portadown on Wednesday, organised by the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy. Its chairman, Canon Clive West, explained the purpose for this meeting, "David will be sharing his experiences of living in a church structure which is hostile towards Biblical faith and informing us of developments internationally."

The meeting, entitled "Thinking for the Future" takes place in the Fergus Hall (St Mark's Church Hall), Portadown from 11.30am - 2pm on Wednesday 3rd March, 2004.

An Australian by birth, David Short is married to Bron and they have two sons, Ben and Josh. He says of the current situation in New Westminster, "I believe that we are in a Diocese that has unilaterally severed its connection with the global Anglican Communion by being the first to officially bless same-sex unions."

The Anglican Communion, of which the Church of Ireland is a part, is presently facing great controversy over homosexuality. In the past year the Diocese of New Hampshire, USA has elected a practising homosexual as its bishop, and New Westminster was the first Anglican diocese to permit the blessing of same-sex unions. Archbishop of Armagh, Robin Eames, is heading a commission to look at ways the Communion might be able to stay together at this time.

The Anglican Communion in New Westminster (ACiNW) has received unprecedented support from around the world. 358 Anglican clergy, Bishops, and Archbishops from across Canada and around the world have issued public statements rejecting the New Westminster decision and supporting the ACiNW. See www.acinw.org

The Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy exists to provide its members with encouragement, refreshment and teaching from the Bible. Their purpose is to see the clergy of the Church of Ireland equipped in biblical ministry, that Jesus Christ may be better known.