A proposal to grant baptism rites to children born to single mothers and unmarried couples in the Church of Ireland was dismissed at its General Synod in Armagh, though it received significant backing from lay delegates. The proposal acknowledged the increasing reality of babies born to unmarried couples and single parents. In Ireland, over 40% of children are born to parents who aren’t married.
In the voting session, 69 clergy members were supportive, with 72 against. On the other hand, 144 lay delegates were in favour, with only 83 in opposition. The rejection by the clergy resulted in the failure of the proposal.
In a separate event, the proceedings at the General Synod were briefly impeded by a demonstration led by Martina Burke and her family members. Her son, Enoch, a former teacher at Wilson’s Hospital School run by the Church of Ireland, is currently being detained in Mountjoy Prison for not adhering to an order to stay clear of the school. The Synod’s activities were temporarily halted due to the intervention by the Burke family and then resumed after a delay of 45 minutes, said a spokesperson for the Church of Ireland.
The proposal, primarily put forward by Prof Patricia Baker of the Dublin and Glendalough diocese and supported by Lynn Wright of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, had sought for babies’ baptism “regardless of the parents’ marital status.” Prof Baker stated that the majority of clergy “won’t query the mother’s marital status when baptising a baby.” She also highlighted her deep concern about instances where babies are denied being baptized solely due to the marital status of their mothers. Dublin delegate Dr Lucy Michael questioned the reason behind refusing children baptism. She argued that baptism is conferred upon the child, not the parents.
Reverend Sam Johnston from the Down diocese has expressed opposition to the motion, encouraging the Synod to empower bishops and clergy “to effectively manoeuvre in these intricate times”. Reverend Mark Lennox from the Dromore diocese indicated that the motion brought doubts over his ordination pledges whilst Robert Miller, the Archdeacon of Derry, asserted that it implied a lack of trust in the clergy.
From the diocese of Elphin and Ardagh, Susan Compton found it incomprehensible that there exist regions within the Church of Ireland that withheld baptism from children. On the other hand, Catherine Simpson of the Down diocese agreed with the intention behind the motion but regarded its implementation as unrealistic.
The initial Synod sessions were carried out remotely on the first two days of the week, with additional ones planned for the upcoming week.