The leader of the North American missions arm of the second-largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States resigned this week after stoking backlash for publicly blessing a pastor who joined the Roman Catholic Church.
The Rev. Irwyn Ince, who has served since 2021 as the coordinator of the Mission to North America of the Presbyterian Church in America, resigned effective Sept. 30, citing “recent circumstances that I believe make this step best for the peace and unity of the church,” according to a Thursday statement from the MNA’s permanent committee.
Ince’s resignation follows a viral video posted on social media last week that showed him praying a blessing over the Rev. Joel Littlepage during an Aug. 31 service at prominent GraceDC Mosaic in Washington, D.C., where Littlepage had served as a pastor since 2018.
According to footage of the service, Littlepage announced from the pulpit that he and his family had “discerned that our calling was to come into full communion and unity with the Catholic Church.”
Following his announcement, Littlepage presided over the distribution of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, and Ince can be seen applauding at the conclusion of the service before he calls those in the congregation — “especially shepherdesses” — to come to the front of the sanctuary to pray over Littlepage and his family.
