A motion brought in the names of the Archbishop of Dublin and Mr Samuel Harper to establish a Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief has been passed by General Synod.

Archbishop Michael Jackson said that there had been developments in the debate on Human Sexuality in the year since Synod 2012. “I sense now in 2013 more of a mood of sober carefulness than I have sensed before in relation to this most private of subjects and most invasive of areas. I also sense a proper fearfulness of insult and diminishment of others whom we are only now beginning to understand. If the passage of time has taught us any of this, then it is indeed good that time passes. There is no attractiveness or advantage in ripping ourselves or indeed our polity apart by the abstracted certainties which, all too readily, make it impossible for us to see the face of Jesus Christ in our neighbour and, I would have to add, in our enemy. This cannot continue to be a game of: cat and cat,” he said.

He said that the bishops and the Standing Committee had worked on drawing together the names of people who represent a broad range of human sympathy, life experience and geographical belonging in the complex organism that is the Church of Ireland of today to form the Select Committee. He said it was important to ensure that all points of view were included on the committee and said there must be room for co–options at later stages.

The motion was seconded by Mr Sam Harper. He said that the group had been given the responsibility of calmly and carefully considering what is at stake. He said a lot of the discussion had been defensive and he said it was hoped that the group could consider the question without a forced decision. They will bring a report back to Synod and the decision would lie with Synod.

Bishop Patrick Rooke spoke in favour of the motion. He said many who voted at last year’s Synod for the three fold motion. He said the third element of that motion was to continue the process of listening and dialogue which was addressed by the current motion. He said that the motion proposed to build on a process which would see tripartite conferences take place next year. Those being proposed to serve on the select committee represent a broad spectrum of opinion in the Church of Ireland. As to the lack of people known to be gay or lesbian on the committee – the select committee is confined to members of Synod only. Co–options may enable the imbalance to be corrected.

Gillian Purser of Cashel said that the Church of Ireland seemed addicted to subcommittees and tripartite talks but urged the Church to act out the Gospel in today’s world. She said these discussions or subcommittees were not helping the parishioners in the pews to help pay their mortgages. She said families were facing enormous difficulties, while the Church of Ireland was talking about sex. She asked that the Synod try to ensure that the Church of Ireland articulate to society as a whole what the Gospel is all about. She asked that the Church of Ireland start to stand up for the poor and stand up for all members of society and face the real world of hardship facing the people of Ireland today.

Thea Boyle (Glendalough), a proposed member of the committee, voiced her disappointment that there was no representation of a gay or lesbian person on the committee. “Surely to enable constructive dialogue to take place, both sides must be represented,” she said.

The Revd Brian O’Rourke (Cork Cloyne and Ross) represents the Church of Ireland on the Bullying Forum being run by the Department of Education and Skills. He urged the committee to be aware of the fact that they were dealing with human beings who have a huge weight of sexuality shoved at them. He commended the committee in their work.

Canon John Clarke (Meath and Kildare) acknowledged the hurt that was there and supported the debate.

Archbishop Richard Clarke said Synod was continuing a process to open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit and other people. “Everyone in this Synod has to be ready to be changed,” he said. “We are now trying to entrust the further part of this process into the hands of God.”

The motion establishing the committee was passed.