An overview of news reports with links to media sources.
La Mon 40th anniversary – savage attack charred victims beyond recognition
At the time, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt Rev George Quin, said: “If anyone had any doubt about the evil of these people they should have none now.” A telegram sent to the Catholic Bshop of Down and Connor by the Vatican said the Pope, John Paul I, was shocked by the …
https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/la-mon-40th-anniversary-savage-attack-charred-victims-beyond-recognition-1-8380084
Thinking anew – the challenge of Lent
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/thinking-anew-the-challenge-of-lent-1.3392256
Eat at Our Table: Café run by Ireland’s migrant community opens at Christ Church
“It gives out a strong message that you can create spaces for people in Direct Provision instead of waiting.”
http://www.thejournal.ie/our-table-christ-church-direct-provision-3853872-Feb2018/
Irish aid charities fired more than a dozen over sexual abuse
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-aid-charities-fired-more-than-a-dozen-staff-over-sexual-misconduct-1.3395306
The big reveal, five things you need to know about project Ireland
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/the-big-reveal-five-things-you-need-to-know-about-project-ireland-2040-plan-36611281.html
Expansion of third-level colleges forms key part of NDP
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/education-expansion-of-third-level-colleges-forms-key-part-of-ndp-1.3394891
Alliance withdraws from Westminster committee appearance over Bryson invite
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/alliance-withdraws-from-westminster-committee-appearance-over-bryson-invite-36611096.html
Strong growth in NI trade with Republic
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43074504
Third of NI students go elsewhere
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43070907
Major new project to model the future of social housing in N Ireland
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/25230
Alarm at sectarian gang fights set up online
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/alarm-at-sectarian-gang-fights-set-up-online-36609170.html
An ecumenical spring is coming – Lesley Carroll in The Irish News
https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/faithmatters/2018/02/15/news/an-ecumenical-spring-is-coming-1254613/
Archbishop of Canterbury reexamines the state of the nation in new book
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/16-february/news/uk/archbishop-of-canterbury-reexamines-the-state-of-the-nation-in-new-book
How despots exploit Vatican foreign policy
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/february-16th-2018/a-preferential-option-for-the-left/
Pope says he regularly meets abuse victims on Fridays
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/02/15/pope-says-he-regularly-meets-abuse-survivors-on-fridays/
Family of Oliver McAfee travel to Israel to help search
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/family-of-oliver-mcafee-travel-to-israel-to-help-search-36611709.html
Conditions ‘desperate’ as death toll soars in Syria
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/16-february/news/world/conditions-desperate-as-death-toll-soars-in-syria
Gaza fears a new war as government health facilities shut down
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/16-february/news/world/gaza-fears-a-new-war-as-government-health-facilities-shut-down
Songs of Praise – this Sunday’s telecast
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09syspy
Memorial service held at Worthing, for three people who died in a recent air crash at the Grand Canyon
The Rev David Hill, father of two of the victims, Stuart and Jason Hill, paid tribute to his sons and is quoted.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5598329/fathers-emotional-tribute-to-brit-brothers-killed-in-grand-canyon-helicopter-crash/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ill-remember-last-hug-forever-12039317
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5401441/Hundreds-mourners-attend-service-Grand-Canyon-helicopter-crash-victims.html
Individual stories of kindness and generosity from people who are using 40Acts during Lent.
Article notes that both the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have signed up.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/keep-chomping-the-chocolate-because-lent-has-changed-fv75786fh
Report on the slow progress of the Syrian Refugee Community Sponsorship Scheme,
supported at its launch by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/experts-divided-over-success-of-scheme-to-bring-syrian-refugees-to-the-uk_uk_5a3b9d40e4b025f99e14d08c
Further coverage of the C of E’s Lent Plastic Challenge encouraging people to reduce single-use plastic in their daily lives. (See also Comment below)
http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/church-of-england-tells-christians-to-go-plastic-free-for-lent
https://www.edie.net/news/5/Church-of-England-and-ClientEarth-give-up-plastics-for-Lent/
Preview of the coming week in Parliament including on Friday 23 February, the second reading of Lord Deben’s Ecumenical Marriage Bill,
which would allow the solemnisation of marriages in Church of England chapels according to the rites and ceremonies of other Christian denominations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-parliaments-43090246
Report on a survey which found that low numbers of people believe RE to be an important subject to study at school.
Prof Trevor Cooling from the National Institute for Christian Education Research at Canterbury Christ Church University and Ed Pawson, the educational adviser in Church of England schools in Exeter, are quoted.
https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Religious-studies-voted-among-least-important-subjects
Giles Coren on the Church of England’s Lent Plastic Challenge.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/the-gospel-according-to-saint-attenborough-9zv20dtjl
Actor, Simon Williams, writes about his faith and the Church.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/archers-simon-williams-death-religion-sundays-now-bq-c-e/
Wide ranging article by columnist Andrew Brown reviewing the impact that the Archbishop of Canterbury has had in his five years in office.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/16/justin-welby-church-archbishop-canterbury
Further coverage of a Lent plastic challenge aimed at raising awareness of plastic use with parishes and congregations
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09r3nws (Starts at around 27:27)
https://news.sky.com/story/church-of-england-makes-anti-plastics-plea-to-help-worshippers-care-for-gods-creation-11251566
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has resigned as an ambassador for Oxfam following allegations of safeguarding breaches by staff in Haiti.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43079090
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/15/desmond-tutu-resigns-oxfam-ambassador/
Ahead of Commonwealth Day on March 12, an article on the work of the Commonwealth, noting that HM The Queen will attend a special televised service at Westminster Abbey.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5396173/What-Commonwealth-Commonwealth-Day.html
Coverage of The Prince of Wales’ visit to Durham which included a visit to Durham Cathedral’s new Open Treasure exhibition.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5395269/Prince-Charles-pays-official-visit-Durham.html
Report on the resignation and suspension from clerical duties of a school chaplain in Lichfield Diocese following allegations of an extra-marital affair.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5397461/Public-school-chaplain-quits-cheating-wife.html
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