Local LGBT affirming Pastor wishes other denominations would follow suit

When it comes to openly welcoming the LGBT community in Northern Ireland, Pastor Steve Ames, of Harbour Faith Community in Carrickfergus, says his congregation is "something of a voice in the wilderness”.

Pastor Steve has played a part in the LGBT history of Northern Ireland, as he officiated the first religious same-sex marriage, after the law recognised same-sex marriages here from February 2020.

Chris McNaghten and Jon Swan tied the knot in Larne on December 12 2020.

“For us that was something of a milestone, it was something we’ve been campaigning for,” he said.

“It was just a joy to be able to share that special moment with a couple who wanted to celebrate their marriage in a religious setting.”

He also became an internet hit, after hosting an ‘open table’ in Belfast city centre, following accusations other religious leaders were engaging in homophobic preaching in the same area.

“I set up a communion table in Cornmarket, with a sign saying we are inclusive and welcoming of everybody, and I was surprised from ordinary folk, how much that meant to them, and how unusual it was for them to see that there was a welcoming church.

“I would have thought that would be the norm, and I would expect there to be nothing unusual about churches welcoming everybody, so it’s sort of sad to see that such a fuss is made about a church being welcoming,” he said.

Now, the Carrick-based Pastor wishes more churches would also open their metaphoric arms to those who have previously felt excluded.

“I think most churches do genuinely try and be a refuge for lots of people, however when it comes to extending a particular welcome to the LGBT community in Northern Ireland, as a church, we would be something of a voice in the wilderness.”

He continued: “I just wish that there were more churches putting their hands up and saying, 'we’re here, and we’re offering a safe space'.

“It’s not ok now, I think, to remain silent, or respectfully neutral.

"Churches have to stand up and say what is happening, what is being done to, and what is being said about the LGBT community, particularly from Churches, has to stop.”

Watch Downtown/ Cool FM’s interview with Pastor Steve here:

What do NI’s main Churches say?

There was an historic moment for the Catholic Church this year, when Pope Francis revealed he believes same-sex couples should be allowed to have civil unions.

Speaking on a documentary by Evgeny Afineevsky, the Roman Catholic Church’s leader also said that "homosexual people have a right to be in a family.”

The Pontiff said: "They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or made miserable over it.”

Although opposed to giving the unions the title of marriage in law, he said he did support legal protections via civil unions.

The Christian Institute (CI) is an evangelical and non-denominational group with approximately ten thousand supporters in Northern Ireland drawn from across the denominations.

Downtown/ Cool Fm asked the CI what it believes with regards same-sex marriage in religious settings, and if there any circumstances in which this many one day be something which is acceptable, given that there are some people of faith who are homosexual.

A spokesperson responded: “There will always be people who claim allegiance to the Christian faith whilst rejecting the content of the faith. This phenomenon is as old as Christianity itself. Much of the New Testament was written as a response to that very thing.

“What it reminds us is that we cannot change God’s truth to suit our wishes. The Bible teaches with crystal clarity that marriage can only take place between a man and a woman. The teaching in Genesis that “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife” is repeated by Christ and the apostles in the New Testament.

“And marriage is held out as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and his church. So it is exceedingly precious to Christians.

“That will never change and so the church’s practice cannot change. This does not mean same-sex attracted people are not welcome in our churches. It simply means that they are welcome to join our churches on the same basis as everyone else: that they accept the doctrine and ethics of the Bible and seek to live by it. This is what repentance from sin and faith towards Christ means and it is the heart and soul of the Christian message and it is open to everyone.”

The CI was also asked for comment in relation to the fact that some members of the LGBT community feel ostracised by religious organisations here today.

We asked what steps can the CI highlight which have been taken to make society more inclusive for everyone, including people who are homosexual or transgender.

The reply stated: “We have to be prepared to separate out fact from fiction. It is a sad fact that some LGBT people have experienced a less-than-Christian response from people claiming to be Christians. That is wrong. The church should welcome all people.

“To be unfriendly to people because they are sinners is hypocrisy since we are all sinners.

“It is also a rejection of the example of Christ himself. But some of the ‘ostracisation’ blamed on the churches is fictional.

“It comes from activists who simply object to the teachings of evangelical churches and claim they have not welcomed them when what they really mean is that the church refused to renounce its commitment to biblical Christianity.

“The reaction to the Becket Cook testimony proves that some people are prepared to misrepresent evangelicals and what they believe.”