The bishops of the Church of Ireland have expressed "grave concern" at aspects of a process by which legislation, "including highly controversial legislation in the social and educational field", is being made law in the North.
In the context of new regulations for registration of charities, adoption procedures, educational matters and sexual orientation, they said they wished "to protest this frankly oppressive behaviour on the part of government".
They also said that "it has been our experience that major provisions are placed for consultation at times of the year (notably the holiday months) when members of the public and bodies such as churches and other voluntary organisations are least well resourced to respond".
They continued: "We should particularly deplore, if it be the case, the fast-tracking of controversial legislation simply as a lever to force the restoration of a devolved Assembly at the expense of good government and maturely considered and appropriate law."
In another statement yesterday the four main churches in Ireland expressed concern that in the North the courts may become involved in deciding what is "acceptable doctrine" in the context of equality legislation there. They pointed out that this would "not only apply to those with Christian belief but other faith groups also."
The statement followed a meeting between representatives of the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches and Northern Minister of State David Hanson.
Welcoming exceptions within the regulations for religious organisations, they continued: "These exceptions do not apply to individual Christians, nor are we convinced that they cover all circumstances in which the churches will have to be guided by their doctrinal standards or the sincerely held convictions of a significant proportion of their adherents."
They also said they "were not adequately assured that our concerns in relation to services provided by our churches as part of our Christian witness were fully met. These include the provision of faith-based adoption services, care of older people, education and marriage counselling."
They called on the North's politicians to fully engage in the debate on sexual orientation regulations to ensure "the protection of freedom of religion and individual conscience as part of a diverse and plural society".
