Following yesterday’s passing of the motion Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief some of the Evangelicals in the Church of Ireland have been rather celebratory in their attitude, Reform Ireland says on its website:

General Synod decision affirms biblical and traditional Christian teaching on marriage and human sexuality

In an overwhelming vote (approx. 68%), the General Synod of the Church of Ireland meeting in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, affirmed the traditional Christian and biblical teaching on marriage and human sexuality.

A determined attempt by revisionists to defeat the motion on ‘Human Sexuality in the context of Christian belief’ achieved partial success on the opening day of the Synod, when they caused the motion to be withdrawn on a technicality.

However, a revised motion was brought by the House of Bishops, which, after a number of unsuccessful attempts to weaken it through various amendments, was carried by the General Synod.

Reform Ireland thanks God for the faithful witness of the General Synod to the Bible’s teaching on marriage and human sexuality and prays that it may continue to strengthen Gospel witness in Ireland.

Anyone spot the problem with this article? 

It has been pointed out to me that the motion as passed yesterday states,

The Church of Ireland recognises for itself and of itself, no other understanding of marriage than that provided for in the totality of Canon 31.

So, just for clarity, let’s have a look at what Canon 31 actually says:

31.    The Solemnization of marriages

1.    The Church of Ireland affirms, according to our Lord’s teaching that marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and life-long, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side, for the procreation and nurture of children, for the hallowing and right direction of the natural instincts and affections, and for the mutual society, help and comfort which the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.

2.    Every member of the clergy who is approached with a view to solemnising a marriage is required to fulfil the statutory requirements of the state in which the marriage is to take place and must comply also with such Church of Ireland Marriage Regulations as may be provided.

3.    (a)    Any member of the clergy who is approached with a view to solemnizing a marriage between parties either of whom has been party to a ceremony of marriage with another person still living shall, if unwilling to perform the ceremony, so inform the parties immediately.

(b)    No member of the clergy shall agree to solemnize a marriage between parties either of whom has been a party to a ceremony of marriage with another person still living unless such member of the clergy has first sought the bishop’s opinion as to the advisability of solemnizing the marriage of the couple concerned.

(c)    The member of the clergy concerned shall consider and take into account the opinion of the bishop in exercising the discretion, vested in members of the clergy by law, as to whether or not to solemnize the marriage concerned.

4.    It shall be the duty of the member of the clergy concerned to make available to the bishop, in such a form as may be prescribed by regulation, all the information, in so far as the member of the clergy shall obtain it, which the bishop shall require in order to form an opinion.

5.    The bishop shall be entitled to seek and take into account such pastoral or other advice from such persons and in such manner as the bishop may think fit.  The bishop shall at least consult, and take into account, the advice of the incumbent of the parishes to which either of the parties to the proposed remarriage belongs, and also the incumbent of the parish in which it is proposed to conduct the ceremony of remarriage.  The advice of such person or persons shall be confidential to the bishop.

6.    The opinion of the bishop shall as soon as practicable be communicated by the bishop to the member of the clergy concerned.  In cases where a decree of nullity has been granted on grounds acceptable to the Church of Ireland, the bishop shall declare that the applicant is ipso facto free to marry in church.  In other cases, in which the bishop shall give a favourable judgement, the bishop shall prescribe that the member of the clergy concerned conduct a private service of preparation for remarriage in church with the parties involved (in such a form as may be provided by regulation) before the solemnization of matrimony may take place.

Did anyone else miss the references to Scripture in the text of Canon 31? I know I cannot see any. Oh dear!