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