SEARCH Journal

It strikes me that the churches need to try harder to understand why there is such reluctance to receiving ecclesiastical voices in political debates, and to demonstrate this I would like to share a personal story. I believe that the most fundamental truth of the Christian gospel is that, despite all appearances to the contrary, the guiding principle of all that is, has been and will be is love, and that every human being is capable of participating in the economy of love through loving and being loved. I believe that the source of this love is God. Being a gay man in a committed relationship, for a long time I felt that my vocation to ordained ministry would never have the opportunity to be expressed. Nevertheless, I tested the vocation by progressing through the discernment process, while also being open about my identity. I completed my training in the Theological Institute and was appointed to a parish in Belfast to serve as a deacon. However, just ten days prior to my scheduled ordination, I was informed by the bishop that I was not to be ordained. Having considered all the stated and unstated reasons for the cancellation of my ordination, it would seem that ultimately my sexuality and relationship inhibited the expression of my ministry.