Presbyterian Church in Ireland Changes Donation Rules Following Christian Aid LGBT Controversy

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has adjusted its donation policies to Christian Aid following a controversy over a document related to LGBTQ+ issues. The PCI, which has a long-standing partnership with Christian Aid, previously allocated half of its international aid donations to the organization. This changed after Christian Aid GB co-authored a document titled “Queering the Women, Peace and Security Agenda,” which focused on supporting same-sex attracted and transgender individuals in conflict zones.

The document, developed by Christian Aid and published by Queen’s University Belfast, was not officially endorsed by Christian Aid Ireland, according to members of the organization. Some PCI members found the document conflicting with their stance on same-sex attraction. In 2018, the PCI adopted a policy prohibiting those in same-sex relationships from holding full church membership.

In response, the PCI has allowed individual churches to decide the proportion of their aid budget allocated to Christian Aid and Tearfund. Rt Revd Dr Trevor Gribben, the PCI’s new Moderator, described the change as an interim measure. He emphasized that political differences between the organizations should not hinder international charity work. Gribben stated that Christian Aid are “fine people of God” and that the PCI does not want the poor and vulnerable to suffer due to ongoing discussions between the groups.

Gribben noted that cooperative discussions have been taking place, including a meeting with the Chair and CEO of Christian Aid GB. He highlighted that the PCI values collaboration and that the situation reflects the complexity of navigating differing perspectives within the global Christian community. The PCI remains committed to its charitable mission while addressing internal concerns about alignment with its teachings.

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