News and views
Celebrating a Harvest of the Sea –
The Diocese of Down & Dromore is home to four major harbours – Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie – and an important fishing industry. In a film the diocese celebrates all that the sea gives us and the crews that often risk their lives to bring in the catch.
Filmed at Kilkeel Harbour and in Ardglass with thankful input from soloist Jenny Hart, Kilkeel Worship Team and David Charleton, Gareth Averrel and Lucy Cullen (LAMP).
This is the second in the diocese’s Harvest series of three films with Bishop David McClay, in which thanks is offered to God for the fruits of the Land, the Sea and the City. It can be viewed here-
[[] https://www.downanddromore.org/news/2020/09/celebrating-a-harvest-of-the-sea ]
C of I Board of Education (NI) commends teachers and schools –
The Church of Ireland’s Board of Education (Northern Ireland) has expressed its appreciation to all principals, governors, teachers and staff for their dedication on the commencement of a new school term in these most difficult and unprecedented times.
The Chair of the Board, Archbishop John McDowell, said: ‘The fact that all of our schools, in every sector, were ready to welcome back all pupils on the first day of term, required careful planning, enormous effort, and tireless dedication.
‘The educational and social well–being of all children have been affected over the last months. The mental health of many families has also come under strain, and amazing efforts of schools to get up and running, in a way that seeks to meet the needs of all pupils, have been admirable.’
The Secretary to the Board, Dr Peter Hamill, commented: ‘The welfare of children and young people is paramount to the Church. We are acutely aware that many challenges in education still need to be overcome and are concerned, particularly, about the need for more support for children in their P7 year and pupils in post–primary schools who will be preparing for state examinations next year.’
The Board advocates on behalf of the Church of Ireland at levels of education through the Transferor Representatives’ Council, alongside representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland.
Start the Week with Marilynne Robinson and Rowan Williams –
who will discuss faith and humanity, with Andrew Marr on BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week, Monday 28th September, 09.30 (repeated 21.30).
Care4Clergy are hosting a webinar tomorrow Thursday –
“Working creatively in ministry through challenging times.” All about clergy learning during Covid and encouragement to try new ways of communicating the Gospel. If you’re interested, register via care4clergy@gmail.com.
Pope Francis to address the UN General Assembly on Friday –
On September 25, Pope Francis will speak via video message (because of COVID). It will be on the fifth anniversary of his in-person address.
https://holyseemission.org/contents//news
Irish Emergency Alliance –
Six of Ireland’s leading aid charities have joined forces to respond to the unprecedented challenges of the global Coronavirus pandemic among the world’s most vulnerable communities. “As the Irish Emergency Alliance we will work together and save lives.”
[ https://tinyurl.com/y5eknk9d ]
Family Rosary Crusade against Covid 19 –
Archbishop Eamon Martin calls for a Family Rosary Crusade against Covid-19 during October
C of E in parliament –
Speaking for the first time in the Lords this week, the Bishop of Manchester said he supported the aspirations of the Govt’s Counter-Terrorism Bill, but urged care: “we will not defy terrorism through legislation that provides a recruiting sergeant for those who wish us harm.”
In the Lords questions were put to Govt on the report: ‘Nigeria: Unfolding Genocide?’ Archbishop Justin Welby asked the Minister what is being done to protect and inform UK passport holders in Nigeria, and what priority reconciliation will get in the allocation of overseas aid.
US elections Pew Research findings –
Pew Research Fact Tank found 59% of White Catholic registered voters say they would vote for Donald Trump, or lean that way, if the election were held today; among Hispanic Catholic registered voters, 65% say they would vote for Joe Biden today.[ pewrsr.ch/3mwTznN ]
WWW reads for today –
Myth-busting the Northern Ireland protocol.
[ https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/busting-myths-northern-ireland-protocol ]
Why Irish unity is looking a bit frayed around the edges.
The issue is discussed in a new publication out this month writes Malachi O’Doherty. Fortnight@50 marks 50 years since the first publication of Fortnight magazine.
Four made deacons –
Four were admitted to the order of deacon by Bishop Pat Storey. She said, “We are delighted to be able to ordain four new deacons this year. Each have them have shown a great commitment and desire to serve in the dioceses. We thank them for their willingness to embark on this journey, and for the support of their families. As a diocesan family we offer our prayers and appreciation for them on this special occasion.”
Each of the new deacons will initially serve in their home parishes. Those made deacon were:
Alan Robinson – to serve in Portarlington Union of parishes. Alan has been a Diocesan Reader for a number of years, a member of Diocesan Council as well as the Finance and Glebes Committee.
Alan Melbourne – to serve in Edenderry Union of parishes. Alan has been a Diocesan Reader for several years.
James Reid – to serve in Clane Union of parishes. James has been a Diocesan Reader for a number of years.
Yvonne Hutchinson – to serve in Tullamore Union of parishes. Yvonne is a Diocesan Reader, as well as being a member of Diocesan Council.
Taking part in the service were Dean Tim Wright (Dean of St Brigid’s Cathedral), Archdeacon Leslie Stevenson, and Ms Karen Seaman (Diocesan Registrar). The preacher was the Rev Alison Irvine.
Co Armagh man ‘targeted by paedophile priest’ to sue Pope –
A man allegedly targeted by a paedophile priest is to sue the Pope, it has emerged.
Lawyers for Co Armagh man Barry McCourt confirmed he is taking High Court action amid claims the Catholic Church covered up abuse perpetrated by the late Fr Malachy Finnegan.
The test case was described as an attempt to gain justice for other victims.
Finnegan taught and worked at St Colman’s College, Newry, from 1967 to 1987, spending the last decade as the school’s president. He later served as a parish priest in Clonduff, Co Down.
The priest, who died in 2002, was accused of a long campaign of child sexual abuse, but was never prosecuted or questioned by police about claims made against him.
In 2018 it emerged that the Diocese of Dromore had settled a claim made by one of his alleged victims. At the time the PSNI set up a team of detectives to investigate Finnegan’s activities.
Now aged in his early 60s, Mr McCourt is taking legal action against the Pope, the Archdiocese of Armagh and the Holy See.
His solicitor described the case as “unprecedented”.
Kevin Winters of KRW Law said : “The outworkings of both the PSNI and Police Ombudsman investigations has resulted in a huge loss of confidence that anything will ever be done to expose just how much the Church knew about Finnegan’s activities.
“We have written to police today asking them to look at new evidence to support the gnawing allegation of a systemic cover up at the highest level.”
See also –
[ http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/09/21/news/victim-of-malachy-finegan-to-launch-legal-action-against-pope-and-catholic-authorities-in-ireland-2072636/ ]
Well said –
“When they have really learned to love their neighbours as themselves, they will be allowed to love themselves as their neighbours.” CS Lewis
In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair. – Howard Thurman
Pointers to prayer –
Today we pray for those struggling to access coronavirus testing. As tests become more difficult to book after an increase in demand, families have been put on hold waiting for results.
Today we give thanks for contact tracers. In Ireland, where cases are rising, contact tracers are working doubly hard in the face of increased daily infection rates and increased workload. We give thanks for tracing systems and the hard work of contact tracers.
Give thanks for those who are working hard to create and sustain a safe environment for worship in our buildings and provision for digital ministry to those who cannot return to services. Pray that would continue to make our church premises Covid safe places in which we can encounter the life changing power and presence of God.
From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world are praying and caring for creation. It’s the “Season of Creation”
God in creation –
Hen and Cock mountain in the Mournes
The Kingdom of God:
Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are they who mourn
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice
Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are the clean of heart
Blessed are the peacemakers
Blessed are they that suffer persecution
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