A statement to the diocese from the Bishop of Down and Dromore
Bishop David has issued a statement to the Clergy and People of Down and Dromore.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Many of you are already aware and are both concerned and confused by the announcement that the Right Reverend Dr Bonnie Perry is to be the guest preacher at the Changing Attitude Ireland Annual Pride service to be held in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on Friday 13th June 2025 at 6.30 pm.
This is something that very clearly signifies a departure from the historic faith, the teaching and the discipline of the Church of Ireland. The Church of Ireland clearly teaches that marriage is as taught by Jesus “a union of one man and one woman’, Canon 31.”
When ordained to any of the three orders of Bishop, Priest or Deacon we promise to expound the scriptures and teach “the doctrine of the Christian faith as the Church of Ireland has received it.” In addition, as Bishop I promised to guard the faith, unity and discipline of the Church. By the help of God, I will always endeavour to keep that and all of the other vows of my ordination. The unity of the Christian church depends upon holding fast to the faith as once and for all delivered to the saints. Unity always centres around the teaching of the scriptures and the Lordship of Jesus over our lives and lifestyles. For me as your bishop, and I know that for the vast majority of Anglicans in the world, and I trust all of us in this Diocese of Down and Dromore, the doctrine of marriage is a first order issue. For me what is at stake is the Gospel. This wonderful and beautiful Gospel is still the power of God for salvation for all who repent and believe.
We love this Gospel, and we as a Diocese are committed to its proclamation in word and deed to all regardless of their age, sex, gender, race or colour. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we seek to proclaim this Gospel clearly. We know that God’s love reaches the depths of the hearts and lives of all who turn to Christ, who repent and who believe. Truly He came “to seek and to save the lost.” When we have experienced God’s mercy and been saved by Christ for ever, it becomes our privilege, joy, duty and delight to make Him known.
The Church to which you and I belong, the Church we know and love, is His church not ours. It is not ours to change His Gospel truths as the church has received them for over 2000 years. The core truths to which we hold include the church’s teaching on marriage. What we believe concerning marriage is in line with what 85% of Anglicans in our world today also believe.
We are part of a worldwide Anglican communion where many are coming to know Christ every day. The church is growing in those nations which hold to biblical orthodoxy in doctrine and lifestyle. Here in the West where parts of the church are embracing the liberal culture of society the church is in decline and we hear much by way of talk about this decline. This is not so in the nations of the world and places where the church remains faithful to its calling and is proclaiming Christ faithfully, making disciples and baptising new believers in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
When some in the West forsake this Gospel and move away from what the church teaches, we are saddened and we grieve, but we pray that in humility we will remain faithful, and that they will repent and return to the scriptures and to the Gospel we love.
We consider it pure joy however, to align ourselves with Anglicans across the world who hold to the teachings of the bible as we have received it.
I have engraved on my episcopal ring the words of Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” My prayer is that together we will fear God, grow in conviction that God’s word is trustworthy, live our lives under God’s sovereign Lordship and love Jesus so that others will know and believe that God is love and grants forgiveness and eternal life to those who choose to follow Him.
Yours in Christ
+David Down and Dromore
The Right Reverend David A McClay, Bishop of Down and Dromore