Sir, - The Rev Andrew Furlong is a scholar and a gentleman; as such, he is entitled to his views and must have the right to express them. I do not accept, however, that it is possible to exercise ministry as a priest in the Church of God while denying that Jesus is the Divine Son of God.
The Church has put many unacceptable restraints on clergy down through the centuries and continues to do so; but expecting that the message that comes from the pen or keyboard of a priest should be in line with orthodox dogma is not an unreasonable expectation. I support the dean in his quest for understanding of the divine reality at the heart of creation, but I cannot see how it is possible to be an active Christian minister and refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. At the very heart of Christian revelation is the understanding that Jesus is the Son of God and that He is one with the Father. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has set us free from the power of sin and has healed the breach between God and man. On the cross, he atoned for our sin and took upon himself the punishment that we deserve for the wrong we do.
As an unworthy sinner, I can still have a relationship with God, thanks to the redeeming work of Christ; through His resurrection, I have the assurance and expectation of everlasting life. Jesus loves me, in spite of my human frailty and I can encounter Him in a personal relationship, based on prayer, the reading of His words in the Gospel and the reception of His life-giving presence in the sacrament of Holy Communion. That is the faith by which 99 per cent of members of the Church of Ireland try to live.
Our church has a liberal tradition, developed in recent decades, of welcoming those who find themselves on the margins of church life and will continue to open its arms to those wishing a spiritual home where there is no condemnation of the man in the pew, as to what he thinks or does. It is tolerant and supportive of clergy with differing views, as well. There must be a bottom line, however. The proclamation of Jesus as Lord and God cannot be compromised.
I wish the Dean long life and happiness. I hope that he may yet find faith in Jesus as divine saviour of humankind. In the meantime, we all should uphold him in prayer, as he searches for answers to his present dilemma. - Yours, etc.,
David Frazer, St Michael and All Angels Rectory, Millicent, Sallins, Co Kildare.