Gordon caused considerable controversy in 2011 when he entered into a civil partnership -- leading the General Synod to set up a select committee to consider matters of sexuality.

Writing in the latest edition of the "Church of Ireland Gazette", he said a "reality check" could emerge, adding, "If the Church of Ireland in the Republic is to survive, it may be time for us to reflect on the seismic differences which now exist between the church's southern and northern constituencies."

Meanwhile, in a break with a long-held tradition, the Presbyterian General Assembly voted 99-84 not to send its Moderator, the Rev Dr. Ian McNie, to next year's General Assembly of the Church of Scotland as a fraternal guest. The move is seen as a protest against the Scottish church's decision to recognize gay ministers within that church.

A Church of Ireland cleric told VOL that it has always been the accusation that the evangelical constituency is the group that is seeking schism and pushing for division over this issue. "The truth is evangelical and orthodox clergy have been magnanimous in not pushing for this and have actually listened to the call to engage in respectful listening. Further it is a false division to say that it is a Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland split on this issue - that is not true. There are many orthodox lay and ordained clergy in the southern province. Added to which at least two of three of the House of Bishops who come from an 'evangelical' background and would be considered orthodox on this issue are either totally southern diocese or have part of their diocese in the south of Ireland."

Gordon said in 2011 that he would not enter into the public arena over this issue, but he has obviously changed his mind.

"The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the liberal revisionist lobby are encouraged by the referendum result and see this as an opportunity to push for this schism and to seek to alienate even further the orthodox of the Church of Ireland. I think they would be very foolish to do so as they would have to forfeit their buildings if they left the Church of Ireland - because the orthodox are not leaving, it is our Church and we are the faithful Anglicans in Ireland. The liberal revisionists are the people who are departing form the biblical faith, the historical and traditional teaching of the Church of Ireland - therefore they are leaving, not us. There is no doubt there is a divide and one that cannot be healed, unless one side in this debate caves in."

I think Dean Gordon has actually done everyone a favor by stating exactly where the liberal revisionists are - namely, they are completely intolerant of any view except their own being accepted, promoted and taught in the Church of Ireland. There is nothing as intolerant as a liberal - as is plain to see here. Dean Gordon's mask, the liberal revisionist mask - of inclusivity has slipped and the wolf in sheep's clothing is revealed.

A split is probably inevitable now. The GAFCON meeting on the 19th of June with Peter Jensen in Belfast is very timely in light of this development.

Another orthodox priest told has VOL that evangelicals are not desirous of a split, however many of them believe that it is the line in the sand that will not be accepted under any circumstances. "Several parish rectors have had to persuade their select vestries not to stop their payments to central bodies in protest at the pro-gay pronouncements of the Bishop of Cork and the Bishop of Cashel, as well as no action being taken as far as Dean Gordon's very blatant and public immorality."

However, Irish evangelicals have told VOL that they have not been idle. They have many contacts throughout the world because of their involvement in mission work at home and overseas - so alternative episcopal oversight would be very simple to arrange.

Furthermore, evangelical parishes are parishes that are growing numerically and are both financially viable and stable, which the House of Bishop's is well aware of. A recent Church of Ireland census made that abundantly clear.

In an address to the Diocesan Synod of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Bishop Paul Colton tried to thread the needle saying that now that the referendum has been passed, "we all have to get on with it."

He asked. "What will 'getting on with it' mean, in a Church where there were 'yes' and 'no' voters? Where are we now? Where is the Church left in the wake of this referendum? Archbishop Diarmuid Martin called it a 'reality check.' I agree with him. How we respond to that 'reality check' is key; we can be open to learning from these times, or we can dig in."

Admitting the Church in Ireland is polarized, Colton, who voted yes in the referendum, said the Church must relate to the cultures in which it exists, with its own beliefs -- at times at variance with secular views.

"The Archbishops and Bishops, despite rather stark terminology in part, have nonetheless thus rightly stressed in a statement the need for 'a spirit of public generosity' on both sides, as debate continues. ... For the Churches, to live in Ireland as a distinctly minority voice is now a clear reality, and it is a humbling experience."

"Soon, civil marriages of gay couples will start to take place, and, while it is clear that clergy are not permitted to conduct those marriages in Church, clergy and laypeople of the Church will inevitably soon be guests on such occasions, at the civil marriages of friends or of members of their own families, and, no doubt will be asked to say grace or prayers in such family contexts. Our church cannot shy away from these issues, and how is our rich diversity of believing and belonging to the Church of Ireland to be accommodated?"

The bishop said it would be an opportunity to "model communion." That train left the station a long time ago with the formation of GAFCON and Irish evangelicals are clearly not buying it.

As far as the Church of Ireland is concerned, a final question might be put: do the various recent letters to the Gazette and other publications show a major rift within the Church of Ireland that mainly runs along the border, albeit with notable exceptions?

The answer apparently is "yes." It is now only a matter of time.

END