Presbyterian Minister Censured for Involvement in Pride Service

A Presbyterian minister received censure and a rebuke from her church due to her involvement in a Pride church service broadcast by the Irish public service broadcaster RTÉ. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) initiated an investigation following complaints regarding the Reverend Dr Katherine Meyer’s attendance at the service. According to information obtained by BBC News NI, Dr Meyer is also subject to an additional investigation concerning allegations that she was present at the Dublin Pride parade in 2024. Dr Meyer holds the position of minister emerita at Christ Church, located in Sandymount, Dublin. A church court determined that “Dr Meyer’s participation in the ‘RTÉ Pride Service – affirming queer worship’ organised by Amach le Dia was unwise and inappropriate.” The ruling stated, “The judicial commission formally rebukes the Reverend Dr Katherine Meyer for her poor judgement and her actions.” The RTÉ Pride church service aired on 4 June 2023, forming part of the Irish broadcaster’s programming dedicated to Pride events. Amach le Dia, an organization for Christian individuals within Ireland’s LGBT community, had organized the service. However, three ministers from the Dublin and Munster Presbytery lodged formal complaints regarding Dr Meyer’s involvement in the service. These complaints underwent investigation and were subsequently presented to a judicial commission of the Presbyterian Church situated in Belfast. A judicial commission functions as a church court endowed with the authority to make decisions. BBC News NI has reviewed the commission’s judgment. In addition to the formal rebuke, the judgment indicated that Dr Meyer had failed to show “due regard” for “her need to strive to preserve the peace and unity of the Church and especially that of the Presbytery of Dublin and Munster.” The judgment further stated, “The Judicial Commission strongly urges the Reverend Dr Katherine Meyer not just to accept the fact that this censure has been issued, but to reflect on its meaning and, in so doing, to accept that her judgement and actions were wrong and to desist from such actions and behaviour in the future.” The document also referenced a prior censure she received because her church had an elder involved in a same-sex relationship. Upon contact by BBC News NI, Dr Meyer declined to comment, citing the ongoing church judicial process regarding the complaint about her attendance at the 2024 Dublin Pride parade. A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland issued a statement to BBC News NI, remarking: “Judicial matters in any organisation or context are often sensitive and usually also complex.” The spokesperson continued, “It is rarely appropriate to comment on past findings of the Judicial Commission, and of course it is never appropriate to comment on whether there are fresh issues to be considered.” The Reverend Teagan MacAodhagáin, chairperson of Amach Le Dia, stated that the group “had received support from a number of different clergy from a number of denominations and are very grateful for this support and solidarity.” He further explained, “Amach Le Dia is a small non-denominational group of LGBTQI+ Christians and Allies providing a space for LGBTQI+ Christians to use their God given gifts and talents in service of God and their community.” MacAodhagáin added, “We were approached by RTÉ and asked to lead a Service, which aired for Pride in 2023, and Reverend Dr Katherine Meyer did attend that service.” He concluded, “Any suggestion that a widely respected and honourable minister, like Reverend Dr Katherine Meyer, would receive such a backlash for attending a church service demonstrates the profound and piteous need for Amach Le Dia to exist to provide a place for people not accepted within the wider church community.” Pastor Steve Ames, representing Harbour Faith Community in Carrickfergus and Inclusive Faith, an all-island organization supporting LGBT Christians, expressed that his group was “beyond disappointed” by the way Dr Meyer was treated. Pastor Ames further commented, “It seems that mainline Christian denominations in Ireland are intent on making LGBT+ Christians feel unwelcome.” He concluded by stating, “Thankfully, there are a few courageous ministers such as Reverend Meyer who are actually trying to extend the hand of friendship towards LGBT people of faith in spite of the church’s ‘official position’.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.