The Rt Revd Kenneth Kearon has written a new book exploring the position of Anglicans on contraception, divorce and human sexuality. ‘Marriage and Relationships – An Anglican Exploration: Contraception, Divorce, Human Sexuality’ will be launched on March 28 at 3.30pm in the Music Room of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Bishop Kenneth Kearon is a former Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe and a former Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.

He sets out to assess how societal changes in the 20th and 21st centuries have challenged many Christians to rethink approaches to marriage and personal relationships. Three issues have dominated – the use of artificial contraception, the availability of divorce, and more recently the legal recognition given to same–sex relationships in most Western countries.

In the case of contraception and divorce he suggests that Anglican churches have found a consensus as to ways forward which are acceptable to a majority of church members. He looks at how consensus was reached and the implications for our understanding of marriage today.

Social attitudes in the West to same–sex relationships have also changed dramatically in recent decades. Bishop Kearon looks at how Anglicans are responding, and asks if there is a way forward.

This short book introduces the reader to some of the issues involved including what the Bible says about marriage and personal relationships and the centuries of Christian tradition.

The book is published by Hinds Publications and will be available to buy on the bookstore on the Church of Ireland website (www.churchofireland.org) and from Hinds Publishing www.hinds.ie..