Where do Irish Christians go from here?

On May 22nd, 62% of those qualified to vote in the Republic of Ireland referendum on same-sex marriage, chose to vote ‘yes’, effectively moving Irish values and lifestyle definitively away from God. Commentators on this were quick to point out that the vote was as much an anti-Roman Catholic church vote as it was a move towards so-called ‘equality’. The recent history of child abuse and cover-up in the Roman Catholic church in Ireland has appalled, disillusioned, and driven away many, including a new generation of young people, from its doors.

The Roman Catholic church is also at war with itself. The Association of Catholic Priests, a liberal group representing about a third of Roman Catholic priests in Ireland estimated that about 25% of priests voted ‘yes’ and encouraged their congregations to do so, despite a number of bishops urging a ‘no’ vote. Furthermore, it reports that at a Mass in Dublin just before the referendum, one priest urged his flock to vote yes, announced that he was gay, and received a standing ovation from his congregation! Keep reading

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Reform Ireland: Winning This Island for Christ

Hear us, merciful God for that part of the Church which you have planted in Ireland, unleash in it the power of your Holy Spirit, and give it boldness to proclaim the gospel to all the people of the land. Open the hearts and minds of the Irish people to the good news of Jesus Christ and bring them to repentance and faith in him. Make the Church of Ireland once more the bright light in a dark world as it was in ancient times. This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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