Bishop suspends 'doubting cleric'

The bishop (second left) suspended the dean (far right)

A Church of Ireland vicar has been suspended because of his unconventional views on Christianity.

The Very Reverend Andrew Furlong does not believe Jesus was the human son of God.

He has startled his congregation, colleagues and his bishop.

He has now had his authority as a priest withdrawn for three months to reflect on his beliefs.

The action was taken by his bishop, the Most Reverend Richard Clarke of the diocese of Meath and Kildare.

I don't think that it is credible to believe that God took human form

Reverend Andrew Furlong

Mr Furlong, the Dean of Clonmacnoise and Rector of Trim in the Republic of Ireland, said he did not believe Jesus was the incarnation of God.

He once served as a curate at St Mark's Church in Dundela in east Belfast.

"I certainly do believe in God - I have a profound and deep conviction in God," he said.

However, he told BBC Radio Ulster that some of the doctrines of the church became "less and less credible" to him during theological training.

"I don't think that it is credible to believe that God took human form and I base that on my understanding of Jesus.

"When I thought about the death of Jesus I saw that it was interpreted in various ways."

'Justice or ethics'

The rector said from a scientific perspective, everything which existed on earth had a limited life span.

"It is often said Jesus died for your sins and he took your place. To me that contradicts any understanding of justice or ethics.

"If somebody is guilty of something then they are obliged to pay the price of their misdeeds," he said.

Mr Furlong said he was aware these were very precious beliefs to many people and that he was betraying the central message of Christianity.

He said his thoughts were ones he had held for 30 years.

"I do believe in questioning and going on questioning.

"In these particular issues I don't see that I will be making any radical decisions or recanting on my position."