Resignation of churchman halts heresy trial over 'no Saviour' claim
Wednesday May 08 2002
Rev Andrew Furlong, Dean of Clonmacnoise, quit just three days before the hearing - the first of its kind in more than a century - was due to resume. It was adjourned last month after one day.
Last night as he considered his future the Dean told the Irish Independent: "I don't have to pack my bags tonight because I've resigned, but I expect to be on the move shortly. I am facing into complete uncertainty about the next chapter of my life."
Asked how felt about leaving, Rev Furlong (51), whose parishes have been Trim and Athboy since 1997, replied: "I have always grieved when I left a parish but I am also grieving for the Church of Ireland because I feel it is missing out."
The Co Meath clergyman caused a storm last year when he published an article claiming that Jesus was "neither a mediator nor a saviour, neither super human or divine".
The comment led to the first heresy trial in the Church of Ireland since 1894, and followed an accusation by Bishop of Meath and Kildare Dr Richard Clarke that the Rev Furlong had published beliefs contrary to church doctrines.
In his article entitled 'A Faith Fundamentally Flawed' he wrote: "Jesus was neither a mediator nor a saviour, neither super-human nor divine; we need to leave him to his place in history and move on."
After his comments, backed up by media interviews in which the dean said he had held his views for 30 years, he had his episcopal authority withdrawn.
Last month, he declined an invitation from Bishop Clarke to resign, prompting the hearing of the Court of the General Synod, the supreme and final court of the church.
Last night Rev Furlong added: "The issue of modernising Christianity will not go away."
But Bishop Clarke said he was happy the matter was now concluded, and wished Rev Furlong "the best for the future".
- Frank Khan
