Growing disquiet within the Church of Ireland over minister's civil partnership

It has taken a while but a number of ministers within the Church of Ireland are objecting to the civil partnership arrangement that a fellow minister has entered into to.

Ten Church of Ireland ministers have issued a joint statement to the Portadown Times.

In what are hardly the strongest of words they say this civil partnership has given rise to 'hurt and sadness' within their respective congregations.

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The acceptance of sodomy is a mark of departure from God. It is expressly stated in the Word of God that the sin of sodomy is an abomination to God. yet despite this clear testimony in both Old and New Testaments we have churches and so-called Christians justifying and excusing this sin.

It is often argued that someone's sexual orientation is fixed like the colour of their skin or their gender. To oppose sodomy in some circles is liken to racism or sexism.

There is a world of difference between skin colour or any other non-moral difference that exists between people in this world and that which the Bible classes as sin. Sin is a moral choice for which we are accountable before God. Sin is the breaking of God's law by either failing to adhere to the standard that God requires or actively transgressing God's commandments.

Sodomy stems from the sinful nature mankind developed at the Fall. The committing of this sin has always brought the judgement of God upon it down through the ages.

Thankfully there is redemption from this sin. There were those in the Church at Corinth who had been delivered from this sin, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.