Ireland: Anglican Church accused of excluding gay members from LGBT event
The Anglican Church of Ireland has been accused of excluding openly gay and lesbian members from an event which was planned as part of its “listening process” on same-sex relationships.
Changing Attitude Ireland, the Anglican Church of Ireland’s pro-LGBT group, claims Saturday’s public discussion in Armagh will not feature any “out” self-identifying gay or lesbian members. More than 150 church members have been invited to attend.
Secretary of Changing Attitude Ireland (CAI), Canon Charles Kenny said he “had offered a list of names to the organisers of openly gay and lesbian members of the church who were willing to attend, but not one of them has been invited.”
Canon Kenny added that “the whole ‘listening process’ will be seen to be a sham if out LGBT church people continue to be deliberately excluded from these tripartite diocesan events”. In March 2012, the Church of Ireland was criticised by CAI for hosting a similar two day conference in Cavan, where it was alleged gay and lesbian members were also excluded.
PinkNews has contacted the Anglican Church of Ireland for a response.
