GAFCON Ireland wishes to express our deep distress and concern about the weekend of events (13-15 June, 2025) at which the Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie Perry, the same-sex ‘married’ Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan (The Episcopal Church, USA (TEC)), was hosted, including preaching at services in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. TEC has been at the epicentre of doctrinal revisionism for decades, causing chaos across the Anglican world.
This event represents an endorsement of a clear departure from the Bible’s teaching on marriage and human sexuality, and it continues to raise serious questions about the theological direction being taken by some within the Anglican Communion, even within the Church of Ireland. These issues are primary and of salvation consequence.
Faithfulness to Scripture and Anglican Doctrine
We affirm, without reservation, the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for all matters of faith and conduct: they are “God’s word written”1. The Bible univocally teaches that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6), and that sexual intimacy is reserved for that context alone. The Old and New Testaments consistently affirm this standard (Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
In line with the historic teaching of the Church and the clear stance of the Anglican Communion, as expressed in Lambeth Resolution I.10 (1998), we continue to uphold that "homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture" and that the Church cannot legitimise or bless same-sex unions nor ordain those in such unions to the office of bishop, priest, or deacon.
The Nature of Christian Leadership
We believe that Christian leaders, especially those consecrated bishops, are called to model holiness and obedience to the Word of God. Anglican bishops promise “to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same”2. The public affirmation and celebration of a bishop who is in a same-sex ‘marriage’, which is contrary to the plain teaching of Scripture and the received doctrine of the Church, undermines and is contrary to gospel witness, causes confusion, and brings division amongst God’s people.
Moreover, while various GAFCON provinces and branches themselves vary on the issue of women's ordination, the episcopal leadership of any woman or man in a same-sex marriage contradicts both biblical ethics and Anglican ecclesiology. Conscious of these contrasting perspectives, human sexuality is the area in which there is entire agreement and coalescence. It is not merely a matter of personal conduct, but of theological faithfulness and, therefore, of ecclesial order.
A Call to Clarity and Courage
We grieve the increasing theological revisionism and drift that events such as this represents within parts of the Anglican Communion. We also grieve for those within the Church of Ireland who are faithful to the Scriptures but feel increasingly isolated as public platforms are given to those who reject core Christian convictions. The GAFCON movement reassures that, “you are not alone”.
Within the Church of Ireland, in 2023, three dioceses3 overwhelmingly requested that the next General Synod4 permit “diocesan discretion” in the provision of liturgical resources for the blessing of same-sex relationships, each under the presidency of their Diocesan bishops. Rather than fulfil their consecration vows “to uphold the truth of the Gospel against error”, these bishops did not clearly uphold the church’s teaching as “we have received it”.
Furthermore, the Anglican mission society, Irish Church Missions (ICM) and its churches, found itself without a spiritual home. Despite years of seeking resolution, the Archbishop of Dublin in whose diocese this troubling and divisive service took place, had consistently declined to engage in efforts toward reconciliation. This has caused deep concern among many within our churches, as ICM is no longer welcomed in every diocese of the Church of Ireland—a marked departure from more than 170 years of shared ministry.
It has also been a source of sorrow and disappointment that the Primate of All Ireland has neither publicly supported ICM nor taken steps to ensure the continuation of its 175-year mission within the Church of Ireland. Equally troubling is the lack of any public censure directed toward the three dioceses whose actions have contributed to division within the body of Christ, even as the Church’s historic teaching on marriage remains unchanged. It grieves us deeply that theological revisionism has taken root within the episcopal and diocesan structures of certain parts of the Irish Church.
We call on bishops, clergy, and lay leaders in Ireland and plead with the Anglican world to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word. We praise God that ICM’s churches have found a welcome home and oversight within the GAFCON recognised European arrangement, the Anglican Network In Europe (ANIE) and its diocese, the Anglican Convocation of Europe (ACE). In times of compromise, clarity is not optional—it is a necessity, if we are to remain faithful.
Gospel Truth and Pastoral Love
Our commitment to biblical orthodoxy is not motivated by hatred or exclusion, but by love: love for God’s truth, love for Christ’s Church, and love for all people, including those who experience same-sex attraction or identify as LGBTQ+. We all share the need for forgiveness and are called upon to live lives shaped by faith and repentance. We believe that true freedom is found not in affirming our fallen desires but in embracing the transforming grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GAFCON Ireland will continue to stand with all who are committed to the renewal and reformation of the Anglican Communion in line with the Jerusalem Declaration and Statement as each seeks “to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations”. We remain prayerful and hopeful that God will raise up courageous leaders who will hold fast to the faith once delivered to the saints.
“Stand firm in the faith” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
Trevor Johnston (Rev’d)
(GAFCON Ireland trustee and executive member, on behalf of the council)
16th June, 2025
1 Article 20 of the 39 Articles
2 Service of the consecration of Bishops, the Book of Common Prayer (2004) of the Church of Ireland.
3 These dioceses were: Dublin and Glendalough; Tuam and Limerick; Cashel and Ossory.
4 “This [Diocesan] Synod, while acknowledging the Church’s traditional teaching on marriage as set out in the Book of Common Prayer, believes that pastoral and liturgical provision should be made for those persons of the same sex, whose relationships have been previously recognised by law, and who wish to have an appropriate service of prayer and dedication. This Synod therefore requests that the General Synod and House of Bishops allow some measure of Diocesan discretion in the provision of suitable prayers for use where such services are locally desired and acceptable, and where no priest or minister would be required to act against their conscience.” Recorded in the published General Synod’s papers of 2024.
