When Courts Rebel Against Christ: Enoch Burke and the Idol of Sexual Autonomy
What the Burke case reveals about the modern sexual regime and the limits of lawful obedience.
Establishing the Public Record
Before addressing the theological weight of this moment, the facts must be stated plainly and without exaggeration. The following details are drawn from court records and major national reporting in Ireland.
The School
Wilson’s Hospital School, County Westmeath, Ireland.
The Original Order
Principal Niamh McShane issued a written directive requiring staff to use a student’s new name and “they, them” pronouns. The directive was framed as a pastoral accommodation but functioned as a compelled speech mandate.
Subsequent Leadership
Principal Noel Cunningham later presided over the school during additional disciplinary and legal proceedings. Principal Frank Milling also served in a transitional role before departing in May 2025.
The School Board
The Board of Management, chaired by John Rogers, placed Burke on paid administrative leave after he refused to comply with the pronoun directive.
The Injunctions and Imprisonments
Multiple High Court judges enforced or escalated sanctions against Burke:
Mr Justice Max Barrett issued the interlocutory injunction ordering Burke to stay off school property.
Mr Justice Alexander Owens later granted a permanent injunction and presided over contempt proceedings.
Mr Justice Michael Quinn ruled on contempt and ordered committal.
Mr Justice Mark Heslin ordered additional committal.
Mr Justice Brian Cregan issued further contempt rulings, fines, and invoked criminal contempt.
Mr Justice Brian O’Moore oversaw reviews, releases, and fines.
Mr Justice Mark Sanfey handled multiple contempt reviews and continuations of sanctions.
The Legal Nature of the Case
Burke has not been imprisoned “for misgendering.” He has been repeatedly imprisoned for civil contempt of court after continuing to appear on school property in defiance of injunctions. His refusal is based on conscience and conviction. The State’s escalation is a conscious attempt to break that conviction.
There is no need to embellish this. The reality is grave enough. The school pressed him to deny reality and the courts backed that demand. He would not comply.
Now we turn to Scripture.
All Human Courts Stand Under Christ
No civil power stands outside the judgment of Christ.
Christ is King of kings. His authority does not wait for earthly recognition.
“On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” - Revelation 19:16
Magistrates serve under His rule.
“There is no authority except from God, and those which exist are appointed by God.” - Romans 13:1
Civil rulers have a divine mandate: reward good and punish evil according to God’s standard. When they command falsehood, redefine morality, or punish obedience to Christ, they step outside their God given jurisdiction.
Every ruling issued by Barrett, Owens, Quinn, Heslin, Cregan, O’Moore, or Sanfey will be weighed before the court of Christ, whose judgments fall in history and will be perfected at the last day.
The Law of God They Have Violated
What stands before us is not a procedural dispute but a moral rupture in which the commands of God are dismissed as though they can be overruled.
The Ninth Commandment
Compelled pronoun usage demands speaking what is false.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” - Exodus 20:16
The school and courts require participation in a lie about what God made.
The First and Second Commandments
The sexual revolution functions as an idol. It demands ritual acknowledgment and public confession.
Compelled speech is a form of compelled worship. To force participation in gender falsehood is to require homage before another god.
The Creation Order
Christ Himself declared:
“He who created them from the beginning made them male and female.” - Matthew 19:4
No civil authority has jurisdiction to redefine what God has defined.
Romans 1
When rulers suppress truth and formalize rebellion, they become participants in the very judgment Scripture describes.
Compelled speech is the final stage of Romans 1 idolatry. It is not content to only be tolerated. It requires praise.
Naming the Ministers of Injustice
Scripture never condemns injustice in abstraction. Prophets name kings, priests, elders, rulers, and judges. Faithful Christian analysis must do the same.
The record stands:
• Principal Niamh McShane issued the initial compelled speech directive.
• Principal Noel Cunningham enforced disciplinary actions that furthered the conflict.
• Chair John Rogers and the Board of Management suspended Burke and supported the enforcement mechanisms.
• Judges Barrett, Owens, Quinn, Heslin, Cregan, O’Moore, and Sanfey have each played concrete roles in ordering injunctions, fines, or imprisonment.
Scripture calls such acts what they are.
“Woe to those who enact unrighteous statutes and to those who constantly record harmful decisions.” - Isaiah 10:1
Biblical Repercussions for Corrupt Rulers
Judges who pervert justice invite the wrath of God.
“The princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are wolves at evening.” - Ezekiel 22:27
“You shall not distort justice.” - Deuteronomy 16:19
God treats unjust rulings as violence, theft, and oppression.
A ruler who punishes truth and rewards rebellion forfeits legitimacy before God. In a rightly ordered Christian society, such judges would be removed from office, stripped of authority, and held accountable under just law.
The Idolatry That Demands Submission
The modern sexual regime is not content to coexist. It demands devotion.
It rewrites identity.
It demands catechism through pronouns.
It punishes dissent.
It seeks public affirmation.
It is a false religion.
Romans 1 reveals how a culture moves from suppressing truth to enforcing falsehood. Once that happens, those who speak plainly become targets. That is why Burke has been dragged into repeated courtrooms. This is a confrontation between the authority of Christ and an idol that demands allegiance.
Why American Christians Must Pay Attention
Many Americans instinctively comfort themselves by saying, “That is Ireland.” That reaction is no longer available. The same ideology governs American school boards, universities, HR departments, corporate policies, federal agencies (though currently being remedied), state courts, and medical institutions. The pressure to speak falsehood already exists here, and it will only intensify if ignored.
Two errors must be rejected. The first is treating Burke as if every tactical choice he made is beyond examination. The second is imagining that his situation has nothing to do with our own context.
Christians must defend conscience rights and oppose any law or policy that demands participation in falsehood. They must raise sons and daughters whose integrity will not collapse when pressured to lie. They must support or become magistrates who fear Christ rather than public opinion. They must refuse to surrender any public ground through slow, quiet concession.
The sexual revolution advances when Christians retreat. If the people of God do not stand with clarity, they create the very space where lawlessness grows.
Call to Repentance and Faith
Christ now commands all people in every position of authority to repent. Judges must repent for punishing truth. Principals must repent for compelling lies. Legislators must repent for codifying rebellion. Citizens must repent for silent complicity.
The blood of Christ is sufficient even for corrupt officials who turn from their sins and submit to the King they have opposed.
The church must pray. Pray for Burke’s faithfulness and humility. Pray for the repentance of those who have misused authority. Pray for courage in the believers who will face similar tests.
Christ will judge the nations. No court can overrule His decree. No injunction can erase His law.
“Now therefore, O kings, be wise. Be warned, O judges of the earth.” - Psalm 2:10
Magistrates may set themselves against the Lord, yet His authority remains firm. Christ rules over every court, and no injustice escapes Him.