Should We All Go Ecumenical?

Dry rot was discovered in First Derry Presbyterian Church in 2002. After much corrective effort, and a spend of £2.5 million, this historic Church was re-opened for worship on Saturday, 14 May 2011.

The re-opening service took the form of an 'ecumenical extravaganza.'

Bishop Seamus Hegarty read a lesson – the first time a Roman Catholic Bishop has participated in a Presbyterian church service.

While we have absolutely no problem with Roman Catholics being in attendance at a Protestant service, nor are we reluctant to reach out the hand of friendship to our neighbours, we do take issue with the joint worship that was showcased at this event.

This practice falls under the censure of 2 Corinthians 6:14-16: “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ... 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?”

The pulpit of First Derry Presbyterian Church has been graced by the presence of many godly men, none more so than the Rev. James Cargin.

In my library is a book that contains a series of his sermons preached from the pulpit of First Derry in 1890 – ‘Ritualism, Romanism and the New Testament.’

In his foreword, Rev. Cargin says: “It is more than likely, however, the errors arising from this system of religion shall require to be met by friends of Evangelical truth in this land for years to come ... and ... if this little volume shall serve in any way to counteract such a Romanising force, and establish ‘the truth once delivered to the saints,’ I shall be, indeed, devoutly thankful.”

Never were his sermons more needed than today.