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Calling on the Irish Government to rescind proposed changes to the Junior Cert curriculum

Updated: May 16, 2023

This letter was written by Pastors John Ahern and Mark Loughridge to the Irish Government outlining their deep concern regarding the inclusion of pornography and trans ideology in the school curriculum and the devastating consequences they envisage.

To the Minister for Education Norma Foley, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman:

It is with great concern that we write to you regarding the current proposals to expose Junior Cert students to pornographic content as part of the RSE curriculum, and to teach transgender ideology, which is both unbiblical and unscientific, in primary and secondary schools. As church leaders we represent thousands of Bible-believing Christian parents and grandparents nationwide who find this wholly unacceptable and deeply troubling. We hold that the Bible’s teaching on marriage, sexuality and gender is what is best for individuals and societies to flourish. It grieves us deeply to see the promotion of that which will cause harm to people, especially children.

As pastors, we are personally aware of the extensive damage pornography does in the lives of people. We deal with it daily. We know the danger that this material in any form presents to impressionable hearts and minds of children and teens. The fact that some young people may have already been exposed to this content is not the issue, there are many that haven’t, and don’t need to be. This proposal is nothing less than the sexualisation of children by a state body.

Tragically in Ireland 1 in 4 people have been sexually abused by the age of 17. Exposure to pornography normalises violent and abusive sex and increases vulnerability amongst children and young people to requests for intimate images and videos.

We are dealing with broken adults whose issues, in many cases, began with exposure to this content as children, in some instances leading to a lifetime of dysfunction and abusive behaviour. If these changes are implemented, there will be major repercussions for our society.

We believe that exposing any child to pornography is dangerous. We would not expose children to alcohol or drugs in the interests of their education, so why do it with something that research has shown to be as addictive as cocaine, causing damage to the neural pathways and receptors in the brain?

Regarding the pushing of transgender ideology—we note that other countries are backing off this push having been ahead of Ireland in implementing it. They have seen the wreckage in damaged young lives which it has produced and recognise that many more issues are involved than transgender ideology allows for. Ireland does not need to go down the same tragic and misguided path.

As Christians and parents, we believe we have the right to teach our children a Biblical view of gender and sexuality. We believe that it is the sole responsibility and right of parents to choose what and when to teach their children on sexuality and gender, not teachers, politicians, or activists.

We speak also for many teachers and principals who are deeply uncomfortable at what they are being asked to teach. They also feel themselves pressurised, even bullied, by decisions driven by activists who are interested in pursuing their own agenda rather than the welfare of children.

In addition, we have been receiving reports from concerned Christian parents that their children are already being intimidated, pressurised and at times bullied because of their sincerely-

held religious beliefs about sexuality and gender—ironically often due to programmes designed to prevent bullying.

We note that Article 42.1 of the Constitution, states:

“The State acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the Family and guarantees to respect the inalienable right and duty of parents to provide, according to their means, for the religious and moral intellectual, physical, and social education of their children.“

The proposed changes to the curriculum completely undermine the role and responsibility of parents in safeguarding the moral and religious welfare of their children.

Article 42.4 of the Constitution states:

“The State shall provide for free primary education and shall endeavour to supplement and give reasonable aid to private and corporate educational initiative, and, when the public good requires it, provide other educational facilities or institutions with due regard, however, for the rights of parents, especially in the matter of religious and moral formation”.

We respectfully submit that these proposed changes are unconstitutional, as well as unbiblical and unwise, and will result in the damage of many lives.

To say that parents can take their children out of specific classes is not satisfactory, nor practical. The bigger issue is that such material should not have any place in school.

We are asking the Irish government to rescind these proposed changes to the Junior Cert curriculum with immediate effect and desist from undermining parental authority with this dangerous revamp of RSE. We also ask you to stop the promotion of transgenderism to impressionable children through the education system.

Should these changes not be made, your legacy will be that of an exponential increase in the numbers of broken and damaged individuals we already see, with damning repercussions for Irish society.

Yours sincerely,


1. Pastor John Ahern, All Nations Church, Dublin.


2. Rev. Mark Loughridge, New Life Fellowship, Letterkenny.


3. Pastor Valerian Jurjea, Bethania Church, Dublin.


4. Pastor Seán Mullarkey, St. Marks Church, Dublin.


5. Pastor Nick Park, Solid Rock Church Drogheda


6. Pastor Tunde Adeboayo-Oke, Redeemed Church of God Ireland


7. Mr Stephen Cardy, Family.ie - CEO


8. Pastor Cathy Giusti, Word of Life Impact Ministries, CAVAN


9. John Edwards, Revival Ireland, Dublin


10. Pauline Alton, City Gate Prayer, Cork


11. Rev. Solomon Aroboto, Arklow Christian Community Church, Arklow


12. Rev. Sean Curran, Living Water Church, Finglas


13. Pastor Jayaseelan Vincent, Ministry of Jesus Ireland. Ballyfermot, Dublin-10.


14. Pastor David Williamson, South City Church. Stillorgan, Dublin


15. Daniel Tabb, Sports Across Ireland


16. Bino Thomas, St Mary’s Church Rowlagh Clondalkin


17. Pastor Gareth Carr, Christian Assembly


18. Pastor Danut Bostiog, Betesda Dublin


19. Dermot Laurence Landy, Landy Ministries


20. Brian Kelly, Hope Centre


21. Pastor Johann Phillip Vizagie, Every Nation Church Belfast & Dublin


22. Pastor Emmanuel Oboyo, Divine Hope of Glory International Church


23. The Joshua Community, The Joshua Community


24. Pastor Ross Barrett, Bad Boy Turned Good


25. Pastor Rose Blackwell, Word of Victory Christian Fellowship, Killarney


26. Pastor Froilan &Luisa Juales, Light Church, Glasnevin


27. Pastor John Fasan, Gospel Faith Mission International


28. Pastor Nathan Nicholson, Abundant Life Church Tullamore


29. Jimmy and Marie Gough, Banner of Love Wicklow


30. Rev. Stefan Csadi, Calvary Christian Centre Dublin


31. Pastor Rodrick Lordwell, The Glorious Church, Dublin


32. George Campbell, Ministry Leader, Father's House Ireland, Dublin


33. Pastor Sharon Perry, Abundant Grace Christian Assembly


34. Pastor Sean &Julia O'Mahony, Athenry Gospel Centre Galway


35. Pastor Jack McKee, New Life City Church, Northumberland Street, Belfast


36. Elder Ghee Seng Teo, Cork Chinese Christian Church


37. Rev. Barry m. Cunningham, New Life Church, Bishopstown, Cork


38. Michael Breen Pastor / Elder, Calvary Church Gorey


39. Davood Mahmoodi, Iranian Gospel Church Dublin


40. Mr Zoltan Arpad Szalontai, Bethesda Romanian Pentecostal Church


41. Antonio Moldovan, River Church Limerick


42. Pastor Ciarán Buckley, D24 Church, Dublin.


43. Rev Paul S Burns BTh (Hons.) Dip Theo, Kings Christian Fellowship Church Sandy Row Belfast


44. Pastor Rick Livingstone, Radical Life Christian Church, Cork


45. Gerard Farrell, Elim Living Water Church, Finglas, Dublin


46. Joe Annett, St Joseph’s Church Ballymartin


47. Jaish K Jacob, ICPF Ireland


48. Revered Steve Imole, New Covenant Church Glasnevin, Dublin


49. Pastor Tony Broderick, River of Life Church. Athlone.


50. Pastor Shine Peter Mathew, IPC Gilgal Church, Letterkenny/Londonderry, Donegal


51. Shawn Elizabeth Canavan, Hope Baptist Church, Dublin


52. Pastor Kyle Chahanovich, Pastor, Banner of Love Church, Wicklow


53. Pastor John Lowry, Cross Hill Community Church, Carlow


54. Pastor Stephen Mathew, IGM Cavan


55. Pastor Emmanuel Might, Solid Rock Church, Inchicore Dublin


56. Rev Kevin Fitzgibbon, Abundant Life Christian Church, Limerick


57. Pastor David McGahey, New Life Family Church, Drogheda


58. Pastor Pat Murphy, Abbey Christian Fellowship Enniscorthy


59. Brian Millar, Ministry leader, Ballyfermot Community Church, Dublin


60. Pastor Oz Muwaniri, Galway Christian Fellowship


61. Patrick Roche - Ireland Watchman Ministry, All Ireland Ministry, Dublin


62. Pastor Gerry Byrne, Victory city centre


63. Pastor Catalin V Goanta, Church “Maranata” Finglas


64. Pastor Patrick O'Shea, Church of God, Dublin


65. Petru Reut, Elim Dublin


66. Joan Long, Aglow International


67. Rev. Liam & Diane Hennessy, D24 Church, Tallaght


68. Pastor Stephen Wilson, Letterkenny Baptist Church, Letterkenny


69. Rev Philip Murphy, Fairview R P Church Oram Castleblayney


70. Rev Richard Tregaskis, Ramelton and Kilmacrennan Presbyterian Churches


71. Pastor Ryan Penn, Island Church Derry City


72. Pastor Jason Cooney, Island Church Dundalk


73. PS Aidan Cassidy, New life Church Shannon, Clare


74. Andy Lamberton, Exodus


75. Pastor Thomas Stewart, Donegal Living Hope Church, Donegal Town


76. Eugen Peters, Grace Community Church Roscommon


77. Pastor Derry O'Sullivan, Blanchardstown Baptist Church


78. Rev Mark Proctor, Naas Presbyterian Church


79. Edwin Mc Nally, Associate Pastor, Cork Full Gospel Fellowship (The Upper Room), Cork.


80. Pastor Lee McCleeland, Ark Church Belfast


81. Rev David Richman Olayinka, The Powerhouse, Ballybrit, Galway


82. Pastor Gavin von Mollendorff, Cornerstone Slieve Bloom Church, Tullamore County Offaly


83. Pastor Philip Tharp, New Life Baptist Church, Drogheda


84. Segun Osinubi, RCCG Killorglin


85. Petru Reut, Elim Church


86. Danny Keating, Calvary Waterford


87. Cornel David, Mount Zion


88. Pastor Kyle Holland, Cornerstone Church, Bray


89. Banji Akinjewe, Gospel Faith Mission International Waterford


90. Dedeku Lucki, RCCG Our God Reigns Skerries Ireland


91. Pastor Jamie Corcoran, Lighthouse Church, Dublin, Navan & Dundalk.


92. Aby Varughese, Charisma Christian Fellowship, Waterford


93. Lead Elder James Thornhill-Fisher, Freedom Life Church Cork


94. Pastor Jules Kalufando, Acting faith Ministries. Unit 36, Colmine Industrial estate. Dublin


95. Pastor Jerry Okojie, Christ the Solution Ministries. Castlebar


96. Pastor Anthony Iria, God Sent Ministries. Newbrigde, Co. Kildare.


97. Minister Trinity Dube, Christ the Solution Ministries


98. Pastor Edwin Eferetin, Life Renewal Ministries International


99. Pastor Florin Mihutescu, Betel Romanian Church


100. Ps (Dr) Taiwo Matthew, Christ Faith Tabernacle Church (CFT) Ennis


101. Pastor, Faith Christian Fellowship Ministry


102. Thiago Henrique Garcia &Ester da Silva, Snowball Church, Limerick


103. Dr Adewale Kuyebi, Christ Apostolic Church (Vineyard of Comfort) Dublin Headquarters


104. Eunice Isaac, Christ Solution Ministries Castlebar Co. Mayo


105. Pastor Maxim Strimbu, Holy Trinity Church


106. Pastor Seamus Burke, Drogheda


107. Diarmuid Brosnan, Killarney Christian Group.


108. Pastor Sam Ogundare, Transfiguration Christian Centre Dublin


109. John Oliver, New Ground Ireland


110. Pastor Noel Kenny, Liberty Churches, Dublin, Wicklow & Kildare


111. John P Walsh, Listowel Christian Fellowship


112. Pastor Cathal Duffy, Castlebar Christian Fellowship (Elim Ministries Ireland)


113. Pastor Akinyele Lewis Akintewe, of Gospel faith mission int'l. Portlaoise


114. Pastor Noel Cammack, Portlaoise Life Church


115. Pastor Paul R Carley, The Bridge Church, Celbridge


116. Pastor Paul Hackett, Hilltop Ministry Monaghan


117. Rev'd Simon Donohoe, Swanlinbar Group of Churches, Co. Cavan


118. Stephen Wright, Convoy Covenanter Church, Co Donegal


119. Pastor Peter Finch, Joshua Community, Ireland


120. Pastor Catalin V Goanta, “Maranata” Church, Finglas, Dublin


121. Michael Amoo, Christ Apostolic Church (VOC) Midleton, Co Cork


122. Kate Nwana, Wailing Women Worldwide, Ireland.


123. David Legge, Breagh Home Church, Portadown


124. Linda Amina Abidoye, Wailing women Ireland and alive Church Enniscorthy


125. Pastor & Pauline Keegan, Abundant Life Family Church Dublin


126. Favour Ajah, Maranthan community church, Waterford


127. Pastor Thiruthuvaraj Sebastian, ICRM Redeemer Church, Dublin.


128. Pastor Gerard Chimbganda, Apostolic Faith Mission: Praise Tabernacle


129. Greg Nelson, The Acts Community Church


130. Pastor Funmi Aremu, Calvary Ministries Ireland


131. Pastor Paudge Mulvihill, Calvary Church Westport


132. Pastor Manny De Leon, Word International Ministries, Dublin


133. Deaconess, RCCG Seat of Mercy


134. Pt. Dolorisisimo Geroche, Word international ministries Ireland


135. Ewena Ekpenyong, Seat of Mercy, Drogheda


136. Nike Oguntoke, Wailing Women Worldwide Ireland Chapter


137. Pastor Warren Dunlop, The Remnant Church, Bangor


138. Mark Webb, Grace Baptist Church, Killarney


139. Ms Linda Okoh, Zion Family Christian Church. Roscommon


140. James McMaster, Calvary Church Westport


141. Pastor Gene McKinley, Good News Baptist Church


142. Tony Coffey, Ranelagh Christian Church, Dublin.


143. Seán Ó Cluaid, Athlone Christian Fellowship Church


144. Colin Burnett, Newcastle West Bible Fellowship


145. Gregor Rekowski, Newcastle West Bible Fellowship


146. Brian Duffield, Newbridge Bible Fellowship Church


147. Pastor Leo Mullen, Network211 Ireland


148. Leader Pamela McGuire, The Acts Community Church Monaghan


149. James & Janice Dobbie, Christian Fellowship Church, Athlone


150. Pastor Daniel Nickel, Limerick Bible Fellowship


151. Pastor John Vogan, Free Grace Evangelical Church, Mullingar


152. Pastor Emmanuel Chris-Enoch, Newlife International Outreach Ministry Tallaght


153. Kevin McGuire Leader, The Acts Community Church Monaghan


154. Clovis Motiene, God Sent Ministries, Naas


155. Pastor Tim Quinlan, Ballinasloe Christian Fellowship


156. Pastor Joel Marcus, Belturbet Baptist Church


157. Pastor Garrett O’Regan, Limerick New Testament church


158. Rev. Jim Schmitt, World Outreach Christian Centre, Limerick


159. Pastor Anthony Agogo Joseph, Hope and Glory Christian Ministries


160. Pastor Samuel Kenneth, Yahweh Missions Centre, Dublin


161. Marcelo Grijio, SnowBall church


162. Peter Byrne, Pastor of Selah Church Dublin


163. Daniel J Pero, Calvary Bible Baptist Church


164. Godson Onyebuchi, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Limerick


165. Pastor Danny Keating, Calvary Waterford


166. Rev David Martin, Irish Church Missions


167. Matthew Brennan, Clonmel Baptist Church


168. Trevor Brimage, Acts Community Church, Monaghan


169. Seth Lewis, Carrigtwohill Baptist Group


170. Lorraine Brimage, The Acts Community church


171. Trevor Brimage, The Acts Community church


172. Rev Jonny McCollum, Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church, Donegal


173. Pastor Donald Gabriel, East Coast Evangelical Church, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin


174. Senen Paus, East Coast Evangelical Church, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin


175. Pastor Eric Kabi, Cornerstone Prayer Ministry


176. Rev. Kenneth Lindsay, Cavan, and Monaghan Methodist Churches


177. Pastor Cal Osiadi, House on the Rock, St. Andrew's Community Centre, 468 South Circular Road, Rialto Dublin 8


178. Pastor Shawn Tebbe, Calvary Sligo, Sligo


179. Evangelist Victory Shaka, Living Water Prayer Ministry Dublin


180. Pastor Don Thatcher, Anchor Baptist Church Waterford


181. Kirk Poth, Sligo Baptist Church, Sligo


182. Rev., Michael J. Walsh, Grace Community Church of Roscommon


183. Stephen Bartley, Stewartstown Christian Fellowship


184. Ps Trevor Russell, Letterkenny Christian Fellowship.


185. Pastor Mark Smith, City Church, Dublin


186. Session Clerk, James Lamberton, Fahan Presbyterian Church, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal


187. Jonathan McCracken, Calvary Church Claremorris


188. Pr. Barry Rogers, Derry Donegal Christian Fellowship


189. Pr. David Lennon, Word of Life Impact Ministry Clonmel Co. Tipperary


190. Godwin Ibe, Overcomers Christ Assembly


191. John O'Connell, Thurles Community Church, Co. Tipperary.


192. Pastor Baiju George, Bethel Sanctuary International


193. Evg. Jobi Joseph, In Christ Church, Dublin Ireland


194. Daniella Olubode, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, House of Flourish Parish, Kinnegad. Co-Westmeath


195. John Bruton, Cork Baptist


196. Pastor Joshua Moore, Carrick Baptist Church, Co. Leitrim


197. Pastor Paddy Grant, BVC Church, Carlow


198. James McMaster, Calvary Church Westport


199. Pastor Jonny Grant, Baptist Church Carrigaline


200. Pastor Tim Coyle, Faith Community Church, Portlaoise


201. Colin Holmes, Ferrybank Christian Community Church


202. Andy Campbell, Lighthouse fellowship


203. Pastor Stephen & Lorita Hamer, Dungarvan Community Church


204. Mandy Post, Children’s Ministry, Galway City Baptist Church, Galway


205. Mr Jean Samson Adzangoa, Free Grace Evangelical Church, Mullingar, Westmeath


206. Pastor Joseph &Virginia Evbobun, Glory of the Latter house church, Mullingar


207. David Ross, Ivor Deane, Ger Reaney Bantry Christian Fellowship


208. Pastor Matthew New Life Tamil Church, Ballyfermot, Dublin


209. Mrs Virginia Eghaghe Erabor Ododo, Glory of the later house church mullingar


210. Pastor Dominic Montgomery, Cherith, Athlone Baptist Church


211. Audrey Chambers, Stranorlar Presbyterian


212. Rev Nick Jones, Drung Group of Churches


213. Edward Neill, Grosvenor Road Baptist Church


214. Ptr. Bong Juales, Light Church


215. Pr.Mathews Matty, New Life church Dublin & Belfast


216. Pastor Peter Amujo, Christ Apostolic Church (Outreach) Dublin


217. Pr.Bjumon pappachan, Ebenezer worship centre, Cork


218. Rev. Albert Obadeyi, Foundation Ministries, Ennis


219. David Richman, The Power House International


220. Pr. Mirella Richman, Believers Connect NUIG, University of Galway


221. YP Sodiq Omoyayi, The Powerhouse International Galway


222. Sodiq Omoyayi, Believers Connect


223. Pastor Reuben Kingdom, The Power House International, Athlone


224. Pr. Brian Hade, Victory Church Dublin


225. Pastor Andy Guilfoyle, Kilkenny Community Church, Irishtown, Kilkenny


226. Roseline Esuku, Roseline Esuku prayer and evangelism ministries


227. Pastor, The Message Assembly Dublin


228. Pastor John Fasan, GFM International


229. Pastor Steve McKinley, Navan Baptist Fellowship, Navan


230. Sarah Legge, Executive Pastor, Abundant Life Church Limerick


231. Pastor Andrew Day, Clare Bible Study, Ennis


232. Pastor Gene McKinley, Good News Baptist Church, Mullingar


233. Pr. Chris Stoll, Christ for Ireland, Inc., Dublin & Tullamore


234. Derry O'Sullivan, Blanchardstown Baptist Church


235. Akemba Mohengo, Rama Ministries


236. Pastor Lionel Smith, Calvary Baptist Church, Cork


237. Pastor Florin Mihutescu, Betel Romanian Church


238. Rev’d Ebenezer Adetunji, King’s Treasure Christian Centre, Killarney, Co.Kerry


239. Pastor Marcio Rodrigues, Shalom Christian Fellowship, Monaghan


240. Pastor Paul Orimolusi, The Redeemed Christian Church of God


241. Pastor Paul and Cathy Phillips, Wexford Christian Community Church


242. Pastor Sebastian Joseph, Shalom Prayer fellowship Portlaoise


243. Pastor Niall Byrne, Gateway Church Tullow Carlow


244. Pastor Daniel Canavan, Hope Baptist Church Dundrum Dublin


245. Pastor Tom Hoban, Good News Church, Cork


246. Rev Jonathan Currie, Kilkenny Presbyterian


247. Pastor Funmilola Ajayi, Redeemed Christian Church of God. Balrothery


248. David Wilson, Teaching Elder, Waterford Christian Assembly


249. John Mathew, Indian Christian fellowship Galway


250. Pastor Stephen Finley, Redemption Baptist Church, Athlone


251. Pastor Joy, Christ Embassy Portlaoise


252. Elizabeth Lasis, Salvation Christian Church, Dublin


253. Pastor Ivan Watson, Cavan Baptist Church

3 Comments


Gisely Rocha
Gisely Rocha
Jul 30, 2023

Thanks for standing for our children future!!!

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carsonjrichard
Mar 30, 2023

Is the primary source last year’s NCCA consultation which closed in October? It had a draft learning outcome that students should be able to “investigate the influence of digital media (in particular the influence of pornography) on young people’s understanding, expectations and social norms in relation to expression.” The report from January on the consultation said that some who made submissions had a “fear” this would require teachers to use pornographic material in the classroom to achieve the learning outcome. It doesn’t. Is this one sentence the primary source for the statement that there are proposed changes to the JC curriculum to expose students to pornographic material or is there another source which explains the proposed curriculum changes?

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carsonjrichard
Mar 26, 2023

What is the primary source of the proposed changes to the Junior Cert curriculum which will expose students to pornographic content?

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