Rathcoole churches call for an end to protest violence; Presbytery concern over unrest; Three Divine Healing Ministries events; Limerick church celebrates 200th anniversary with Genealogy and Family History Day; Art in the City; Resignation of senior Catholic cleric
Rathcoole churches call for an end to protest violence
Church and community leaders in Rathcoole have condemned the public disorder associated with ongoing flag protests, describing the actions of rioters as “pointless violence”.
They spoke out last week following another weekend of serious civil unrest at Cloughfern Corner during which police were targeted by rioters throwing stones, bottles and petrol bombs.
Following talks between clergy from several local churches and community and political representatives for the area, a spokesperson for the group issued a statement calling for an end to the trouble.
The statement – issued on behalf of Rathcoole Presbyterian, Newtownabbey Methodist Mission, St Comgall’s Church of Ireland, Belfast City Mission, Church of the Ascension, Rathcoole Baptist, Abbots Cross Presbyterian, South and East Antrim Community Federation, Progressive Unionist Party, DUP, UUP, Rathcoole Friends of the Somme, Breakaway Blues, Newtownabbey Women’s Group and the Ulster People’s Forum – said:
“The churches and community groups of Newtownabbey request that those involved in the trouble associated with the flag protests should stop now. We would add that those who come from outside the area to riot and cause disturbance are not welcome.
“The rioting does absolutely nothing to promote any cause, but rather is damaging this community and causing further suffering.”
It continues: “The signatories have their individual views about the current protests, but all support the right to peaceful, legal protests. This plea is about stopping the pointless violence; this fear and wanton destruction is being caused by a minority.”
Following allegations from some protesters and bystanders of police brutality and heavy handed tactics by the PSNI’s Tactical Support Group officers (riot police), the church and community leaders have appealed to anyone with complaints about the actions of the PSNI to take their grievances to the Police Ombudsman.
The statement concludes: “On behalf of those who live, work or have a vested interest in Newtownabbey, although we may have our differences of opinions about many matters, we are united in our determination to stop this community from suffering further.” Newtownabbey Today report – http://www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk/news/church-leaders-call-for-an-end-to-protest-violence-1-4735804
Presbytery concern over unrest
Presbyterians in north Antrim have called for an urgent resolution of the Union Flag dispute.
Route presbytery, which represents 10,000 Presbyterians in 22 congregations in Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Bushmills and surrounding districts, has encouraged the general public, politicians and churches to continue to work hard towards a peaceful resolution of the problems.
Presbytery members heard a report which highlighted the Province-wide protests over the decision of Belfast City Council to stop flying the Union Flag 365 days a year, as well as the ongoing threat from dissident republican terrorists.
After lengthy discussion, the Route presbytery unanimously agreed the following resolutions:
1. That presbytery, whilst recognising democracy to be an imperfect system of government, sees it as a uniquely useful way of resolving differences of opinion between various groups and individuals.
2. That presbytery upholds the right of assembly and free speech to all who feel aggrieved, but that this right should not encroach upon the well-being, both physical and financial, of others.
3. That presbytery supports pastorally, prayerfully and practically the work of the security forces in keeping the Province safe from threats – from wherever those threats might come.
4. That presbytery encourages congregations to engage more with those who feel aggrieved by and separated from the current political processes, so that they may be listened to, understood and, where necessary, assisted.
5. That presbytery encourages politicians of all kinds to continue to engage with as many people in their constituencies as possible to create a society which is inclusive and genuinely peaceful.
Presbytery moderator the Rev Roy Gaston said: “Presbytery does not often make a statement about political affairs, but it was felt that it was necessary to do so at this time, so that ministers, congregations and individual Christians could keep these matters in mind and in their prayers.” News Letter report –
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/community/churches/presbytery-concern-over-unrest-1-4798419
Three Divine Healing Ministries events
1. Service on the theme ‘Praying for those who have cancer’ in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Monday, April 22 at 8 pm. Personal prayer and anointing with oil for healing will be available at this service. Speaker: Brother David Jardine.
2. Training for those who would like to be involved in the ministry of healing.
When? – Each Thursday in May (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th) from 8 – 10 pm in St. Anne’s Cathedral Hall. Parking is safe. Teaching will be done by David Jardine and his team.
Each evening there will be teaching on principles of divine healing, how to pray with others, a demonstration of prayer, and an opportunity in a non-threatening way to pray with one another. There will also be time for questions and comments.
There will be no charge for this course, but on the last evening people will have a chance to make a voluntary donation.
3. Day of Prayer for the renewal and revival of the faith in this land on Saturday, June 22 in St. Anne’s Cathedral (10.30 am – 3.30 pm). This is part of seven years of prayer organised by Divine Healing Ministries. There will be a good balance of leading and silence for prayer, and a wide range of officiants.
Limerick church celebrates 200th anniversary with Genealogy and Family History Day
A special event which will mark the 200th anniversary of Christ Church in Limerick, will also offer an unique opportunity to local families and historians to dip into history.
The Genealogy and Family History Day takes place in Christ Church in March and the event will also mark the presence of Presbyterians in Limerick for over 350 years and the establishment, 40 years ago, of the United Presbyterian and Methodist Church at Christ Church.
“As a United Presbyterian and Methodist Church in Limerick we are in the unique position to be able to bring together family history records from our combined churches,” says Michael Wheeler who is one of those preparing for the event. “ We have also very close links with other local churches, and in particular the Church of Ireland where we share certain responsibilities in relation to governance of the local schools with a Protestant ethos. “
“We are planning to bring together all the available church registers and school roll books for our community on the Saturday of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend for anyone, from complete novice up to experienced genealogist, to review,” Mr Wheeler added.
It is also hoped to have some Catholic registers available on the day, Mr Wheeler continiued. Due to the relatively small Protestant community in Limerick, over the centuries there have been significant inter-denomination marriages and community interactions.
“Consequently, for family history enthusiasts and novices alike, the opportunity to review all these documents together is significant,” Mr Wheeler said.
There will be volunteers at hand on the day to help novice genealogists or people just wishing to find out a little more about their family. These volunteers will help them to get access to family records and start building their own family tree. But, to ensure the best possible outcome, people are advised to do a little preparation in advance. People should try to get all their grandparents’ names and bring along any significant dates and places that they know of.
For the more experienced genealogist with particular connections in the Limerick area the opportunity to review these records in the one location should be very exciting. The organisers expect to have for examination the Limerick Methodist Registers from 1842, Limerick Presbyterian Registers from 1829, Christ Church Limerick Minute Books, Adare/ Balingran registers, Limerick Church of Ireland registers, Limerick Baptist Church registers, St. Michael’s National School Roll books, Villiers School roll books and more.
The day will also include a talk presented by Mr Wheeler, a genealogical enthusiast, on his own extended Wheeler family research entitled “Silver Bells of Memory”.
His talk will focus on the historical and intriguing aspects that he has encountered whilst researching his own family tree. Of particular interest will be the theme of Irish History from a Protestant stand point, a view not normally explored by historians.
For further details of the Genealogy & Family History Day contact Michael Wheeler mgbwheeler@hotmail.com
Limerick Leader report –
http://www.limerickleader.ie/community/community-news/latest-news/event-to-mark-200th-anniversary-of-church-in-limerick-1-4728038
Art in the City
Tomorrow the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, the Rt Revd Ken Good, will travel to London for the Bishops’ Art and the City Conference.
Derry is the inaugural UK City of Culture for 2013 and St Columb’s cathedral is an important part of the city’s cultural infrastructure.
Resignation of senior Catholic cleric
A Dublin parish priest has resigned a senior position in the archdiocese in protest against the treatment by the Vatican of Fr Tony Flannery.
Fr Flannery has been silenced by Rome for questioning mandatory celibacy for priests, the Vatican ban on women priests and the harshness of church teaching on homosexuality.
Fr John Hassett has stood down as dean of the Maynooth deanery in Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese “over an issue that is neither specifically my own nor diocesan.
However, justice has no frontiers.” In a posting on the Association of Catholic Priests website, he said: “In this case it is the disrespectful and unjust treatment of Fr Tony Flannery that moves me to this action.” Irish Times. More at –
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0216/1224330116269.html