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OVER 200 MINISTERS and elders of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) have signed a letter outlining their “hurt, dismay and anger” over decisions made at its 2018 General Assembly last month.
The PCI last month adopted a policy that prevents anyone in same-sex relationships from being a full member of the church. The policy also prevents children of same-sex couples from being baptised in the church.
The policy is contained in a report by the Church’s doctrine committee, and states that the lifestyles of people in same-sex relationships are “at variance with a life of obedience to Christ”.
The signatories of the letter, called “A Cry from the Heart”, said “the profound sense of hurt, dismay and anger currently being expressed in the wake of decisions taken at our 2018 General Assembly”.
“This level of feeling is unprecedented in our pastoral experience,” the statement said.
“We are committed to doing all we can to ensure that the decisions which have prompted such a level of concern will be subject to the urgent attention they deserve, and for which many in the Church are calling.
“We gladly acknowledge that we ourselves have been constantly enriched and challenged by the diversity of views found in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
“Therefore, as we participate in this work of critical engagement and discernment, we hold that unnecessary narrowing of the range of acceptable theological perspectives within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland will damage our credibility and limit our future.”
Policy implementation
Church members adopted the new policy on 8 June during the final day of its 2018 General Assembly after a lengthy debate. This came after it cut ceremonial ties with the Church of Scotland due to its more liberal attitude to same-sex relationships.
“In light of our understanding of Scripture and the Church’s understanding of a credible profession of faith it is clear that same-sex couples are not eligible for communicant membership nor are they qualified to receive baptism for their children,” the policy states.
We believe that their outward conduct and lifestyle is at variance with a life of obedience to Christ.
A number of General Assembly members were opposed to this hardline stance, but a motion to shelve the policy was beaten in a show of hands vote.
The Church follows this policy by saying that in that context it was still important to emphasise that it “welcomes all who wish to sit under the means of grace at public services and to have access to the pastoral care and counsel available within her fellowship”.
The Church has over 220,000 members in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
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Hopefully a Christmas miracle for this little boy.
What I want is a link to a “gofundme” or something similar. Anything beyond what they want to raise could go to charity.
If this was set up I would be right there with a credit card and screaming at the laptop “TAKE MY MONEY”!
TodayFM or someone connected to the family should get that going immediately (I’d do it myself but there’s zero credibility in that for this brilliant young man)
And please, send on the link!
Hey, bottom of article for donations it says contact ray@rte.ie maybe you could suggest gofundme to there? I too will be happy to donate.
Yep – I’ve emailed – but with all these things you build up a head of support and make it easy for people to contribute. Especially when it’s a no-brainer like this…..
Tony , they gave you an email for you to contact so what more is it that you want them to do ?
Suzie – if you read the post you might notice that I have said what *might be useful* it’s a suggestion.
And would you give out your credit card details over email? If you would, you should send them to that Nigerian prince in your spam box.
Also, 15 mins before you posted your “meh – I know it all” comment I did mention that I had emailed.
Not so much sunshine at all really are you suzie?
Happy Christians Sebastian I hope Santa is good to you …. Happy Christmas
Hey All,
I know Conor and Anne well. I’ve set up a gofundme account here for Seb:
http://www.gofundme.com/v3bg8e8c
Thanks for any support you can give.
Journal, can you please, please bump this story up to the top of the news feed so many more can help tomorrow. This is a heart breaker.
Suzie, you did indeed belittle – I won’t bother pointing it out because while it’s childish to flame in any situation it’s beyond childish when it comes to insisting on being right on a story that is so not about you.
padraig, thank you for adding the gofundme link – going straight there!
I absolutely second Alan’s post above and would also ask the inclusion of the gofundme link to the story (some people don’t bother about the comment section)
Thanks Padraig!
Donated and shared. Thanks for setting this up Padraig.
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Seb is asleep on his mum’s lap. :)
There are no words to properly say what’s in my heart right now. I am so incredibly sad for you all. Sebastian is so young to be facing this and it must be dreadfully raw for you all. Thinking of your brave little soldier and of you too, as parents there is nothing worse.
Conor, there are no words because most of us have never been there. But all of us on here would love to help in any way we can, please let us know what else you need, as bad as we are for commenting,, it’s guys like you that bring us together. So anything you need or Seb needs just let us know
Conor, I’m absolutely heartbroken for your family. I have Christmas puddings and loads of decorations etc. If that’s of any use. Please feel free to contact me on my twitter account. I have a small food shop so please let me know, I can get you turkey, mince pies, etc and I’ll happily bring them to you. Please just let me know, anything at all.
This article is so sad. I just hope ye have a great Christmas.
Yes my friend I’m a 41 year old man a big lad that doesn’t get emotional very often but I’m reading this with tears welling in my eyes and a lump in my throat very sad indeed for a family to have to go through. I hope he gets everything he wants from Santa I really do.
I’m so sorry to hear this, as a father I find this absolutely heart breaking. I hope Sebastian has a wonderful Christmas
I am very sorry to hear this, you are amazing parents… I hope your little warrior have the best Christmas ever!!!
I can’t even begin to imagine what this must be like for you all, but wishing you all an incredibly magical Christmas Day this weekend.
Hi Connor I’m really sad to hear about your little Sebastian. My heart is with you and your family x x I’m just wondering if you could tell me what Sebastian’s favourite cake flavour is please I would like to make a cake for him for his special day x x sending lots of love your way x x
Heard his dad on the Ray Darcy show. Just heartbreaking. Happy Christmas little man.
And we all think we’ve real problems till we hear a story like this. :(
So sad. Poor little guy.
Little trooper, hope all his dreams come true for his Christmas x
What date are they going to pick for Christmas day? Lets try to get every radio station to play a Christmas song for him, money won’t make him better so lets give him the best Christmas that the rest of Ireland can celebrate with him. What does his family need us to do.
Its this Saturday!
That is the best idea so far. Could we get radio stations to play Christmas music for an hour? That would be lovely
This story really really upset me very sad.
Happy Xmas to the little fellow I hope it is the best ever.
Happy Christmas Conor..hope you get all the great things you wished for little man.
Always breaks my heart to hear so young children suffering.
Too unfair, hope the poor wee man can have a miracle recovery and be stronger by Dec Christmas
I hope he receives the miracle he deserves. What a brave little guy Sebastian is. In my prayers
Absolutely heartbreaking.I urge people to donate,even if it’s small.
That is heartbreaking and has brought tears to my eyes reading this, hope he has the best Xmas ever and if there is a link I would happily give money to it.
What s brave little man.
My own son suffers with migraines and a severe episode can be scary. First things I look for is the signs of meningitis and a brain tumour.
My uncke died from a brain tumour and had it for year before diagnosis.
Happy Christmas Sebastian. Xxx
@ Lily, i was driving when his Dad was on Ray Darcy and i couldn’t see the road with the tears.
Also Lily look after that little lad of yours but I’m sure he will be fine i know as i had migraines from the age of 24 eyes head sick, with time it eased off i still have it, one thing i feel bad about is both my sons have it.
That should be 14
It is very scary he was at the gp last week with a severe episode, he had the nausea too. It can come on really quick where he grips his head in his hands, rocking backwards and forwards, screaming and crying “its hurts, it hurts” or he can wake from his sleep in agony, his had them since he was 2. I know a few of his triggers now. His only 8.
I can’t imagine what this family is going through its absolutely heartbreaking. I sincerely wish they get the Christmas they are hoping for…
God Bless him the headaches are severe poor little mite.
This is our friends little boy. There will be a fundraiser on the 5th of June in Bleecker street bar on Dorset street. Doors open from 9pm approx. €10 on the door and great live music all night. There will be a raffle with amazing prizes to be win. All proceeds will go directly to the O’Loughlin family. Please come along and spread the word!
Time to route out my Christmas cardigan and load up the car with my christmas decorations for Sebastian.
Probably stupid suggestion ,get people to tweet illumination entertainment to get Minion stuff for the family ,the new movies coming up , let him see the movie early get minions to meet the lad , anyway not sure just tweeted them link to this story if anyone wants to do the same ..
Nice one..I hope they respond in time because that was lovely
Not a stupid suggestion at all..quite a good one in fact..just sent a few details to illumination entertainment on their facebook page..and a link to the journal and ray darcy..I would encourage everyone to do the same..or email them ..or twitter ..lets get viral for young conor…happy xmas.
Kieran, can you post the link? Its such a good idea to get us alk involved
Heard his Dad on Ray Darcy heartbreaking . Miracles do happen, but have a lovely Christmas on the 30th. I take my hat off to you the Parents.
Worst nightmare
I wonder if they contacted the “make a wish foundation ” to see if the can help make one of his dreams come true ?
And i thought i had problems.
Where do I donate
If you wish to donate please contact ray@rte.ie
What a lovely family, Merry Christmas to them, I hope its a great day
Hi All, I’m a close friend of Conor and Anne, Sebastian is a lovely lad.
I’ve set up a go fund me account for Sebastian at:
gofund.me/v3bg8e8c
Give as much support as you can to this lovely family!.
I’m in bits if I can help just let me know how.
Donate, ray@rte.ie
Devastating :( Poor little kid. I feel so sad for him. Will do whatever I can to help
That link isn’t clickable. Hopefully this one will be clickable:
http://www.gofundme.com/v3bg8e8c
Thanks to everyone who can support.
That one works Padraig.
Padraig..will you put some pics up of Christmas day?
Hi Jenni,
Yep Definitely – I’ll put up some pics
Padraig, I just wanted to say you are a very special person.
F@ck you Cancer!!.
I wonder If Conor has any sporting heroes etc that might be able to be contacted by the Darcy show to maybe bring along some presents on the day.
How can I donate something ?
Happy Christmas Sebastian, I hope you have the most magical day ever x
Same age as my daughter. What a cruel world we inhabit. Hope he has a magical time.
Jesus, how awfully sad but just as equally inspiring.
My heart aches at the thought of this devastating news. ..however It lightens at the thought of Sebastian having the best Christmas day ever, enjoy X X my thoughts are with you all.
Happy Christmas Sebastian
The one where u text the cash not everyone has a credit card
Jesus that’s absolutely heart breaking. A few months ago they had a fine healthy 4 year old boy and now they don’t know how long more he will love. Such a cruel world. A Christmas miracle would be great. I hope the people of Tipp/Ireland make this a Christmas to remember for this little man.
That article made me cry. I can’t even imagine what the child’s parents are going through. I hope Sebastian has a great Christmas day the poor little fellow. I had a friend who died from n inoperable brain tumor.this should not happen to someone so young as Sebastian. Let’s hope for a miracle
I want Sebastian to have the BEST Xmas ever.
Ireland is a great country and I know we can go bigger on this. I’m willing to do whatever to make this kids dream come true having Christmas early. Surely we can do more that just a few bouncing castles. If he wants Xmas that means in his home town we get a big Xmas tree up, Christmas lights in the town, all homes out up an Xmas tree in support around him so he feels this isn’t just his house, shops, pubs etc get decorations up… I know we can do better all we have to do is get those decorations down and help put them up. I will help where ever is needed.
When we see things happening to Innocent angels, we should never complain.
May God gives all the power to him and his family, miracle could happen.
Hi Connor. I know someone who had same situation as your family. I just recently red an article about this girl from my country who had brain cancer worst type and she survived.Her dad just published her story and he said he is willing to help anyone and to tell what he used to heal her. Doctors could believe that she survived. …. Please mail me I would really love to try to help you. My mail is svitlica93@outlook.com.
My father died from brain cancer and he had a grade 4 tumour which is the worst kind. I feel this comment is in bad taste. The family I’m sure have tried everything and spoken to every doctor like we did but now they are asking to help make a final dream come true and we should focus on that rather than promote quacks who will only take their money and give false hope. If they want Christmas early for him then that’s what we should do and respect their wishes
So so sad, sorry for what you guys are going through. Will donate and share now
Hi Connor. I knowhat someone who had same situation as your family. This guy from my country just published a sort about his daughter surviving brain cancer. He found medicine for her and even doctors couldn’t belive the cancer disappeared. So he is willing to help anyone and to tell what he used . So I can get in touch with him for you . I would love to help you please mail me . Svitlica93@outlook.com this is my mail and my name is Natasa just send me mail anytime
V
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