Methodist church declines gay volunteer

Published Thursday, 15 September 2011
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A Co Fermanagh man has spoken out against the Methodist Church after they refused his offer to volunteer with a youth project due to his openly gay lifestyle.

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Frankie Dean told UTV he wants to challenge the decision and has made a complaint to the church.

The 48-year-old man, from Ballinamallard, claims he was told that he would not be an appropriate role model for young people.

"I am a qualified performing artist and in response to a church bulletin request, I offered my services to a joint youth project in the area," he said.

"I also have some youth work qualifications and have had experience working with young people."

A born again Christian, he said that he "wanted to help young people in the community" as many of them were interested in the work he does.

However, Frankie says he was informed that his services were not required.

He claimed he was told that he was not "the right role model" and that there was the likelihood "young men will turn gay" if he was involved in the youth work.

Frankie said: "I feel the church should not be able to treat equality as optional."

A member of Ballinamallard Methodist Church for ten years, he said that he will not be returning to worship there.

He said that he does not believe the church should be able to pick and choose on the issue of equality.

A statement from the Methodist Church, taken from a document on their teachings on marriage, stated: "A loving marriage relationship is seen as the only appropriate relationship within which sexual intercourse may take place.

"The church advocates responsible family planning, with the use of contraception.

"In keeping with New Testament teaching, we are opposed to all debased forms of sexuality and sexual practice, whether heterosexual or homosexual."

The statement continued: "We do not seek to be arrogant or unfair about this, and it is for us a tension which often isn't understood."

Gay Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland [GLYNI] said the case has shocked everyone.

Regional Development Youth Officer Mark Brown said the church was supposed to provide "a supportive, pastoral role" for people.

He added that there had been "no pastoral care of duty offered to this young man."

"Young people are going to look at that and say, 'If I come out in my church, are they going to turn their back on me?'"

The organisation said they were helping Frankie challenge the Methodist Church's thinking.

© UTV News
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19 Comments
Jam in United Kingdom wrote (249 days ago):
I am confused as to why religious organizations get let off when committing a criminal offence, in this case, rejecting someone in a work place based on their sexuality. Religion in the 21st century is like cars in the 1st century, there's no use for them, (please remember you need fuel to power cars).
Barrie in Southampton, UK wrote (249 days ago):
What year is it in Ireland - 1411?
jim in s''land wrote (249 days ago):
I would be more worried about letting people who believe that there is a big man who lives in the sky influence children.....
MILO in LIMAVADY wrote (250 days ago):
Tiina, read you bible you moron !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike in Belfast wrote (251 days ago):
Zoe, what nonsense. What gives anyone the right to tell another human being who he or she should go to bed with? Provided that all is consensual who should even care what anyone else does. Why are christians obsessed with looking at what is going on in other peoples' bedroom?
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