Next Presbyterian Moderator and other news briefs
Bangor minister to be next Moderator
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has selected Rev. Charles McMullen of West Church Bangor in County Down to be its next Moderator.The 57-year-old minister was nominated by 9 of the Church’s 19 presbyteries this evening (6th February) when they met across Ireland to elect a successor to the current Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Noble McNeely. Known as the Moderator-Designate, Mr. McMullen will officially be elected and installed as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland at the start of this year’s General Assembly on 4th June. A total of 19 presbyteries meet independently across the island of Ireland to decide on who should hold the most senior position within the Church. Mr McMullen was one of three nominees for the post – the others were the Reverend Brian Boyd of Kells and Eskylane and the Reverend William Henry from Maze Presbyterian Church.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42969527
Cardinals approve miracle attributed to Pope Paul VI
Catholic Herald
The Congregation of Saints has unanimously approved the recognition of a miracle attributed to Blessed Paul VI, meaning the former Pontiff will likely be canonised as a saint later this year. The cause now goes to Pope Francis for final approval, and for a date for the canonisation. The miracle concerns the healing of an unborn child who was suffering from a potentially fatal disease.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/02/06/cardinals-approve-miracle-attributed-to-pope-paul-vi/
New Director of Irish Church Missions commissioned
The new Director of Irish Church Missions was commissioned by the Archbishop of Dublin in St Mary’s Church, Howth, on Friday evening last (February 2). The Revd David Martin was surrounded by a large congregation of family, friends and supporters of ICM in the church where he served as Intern Deacon.
David is from Ballywalter in County Down and prior to ordination served in London and New York and worked for almost 10 years at Immanuel Church Dublin, an ICM trustee church. During his time at Immanuel he trained part time at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. He served as Intern Deacon in Howth and served a curacy in Hillborough Parish Church. He is married to Honour and they have four children.
Speaking at the service, the chairman of the ICM Board of Trustees, Bishop Wallace Benn, retired area Bishop of Lewes in Suffolk and a native of Greystones, said the commissioning marked the beginning of a new chapter for ICM and David. He thanked the Rector of St Mary’s, Canon Kevin Brew for enabling the service to take place in Howth and Archbishop Michael Jackson for licensing David. He presented David to be commissioned.
Pope accused of being ‘deliberately deceptive’ over Chilean abuse case
Irish Times
This latest news was “evidence that the cover-up by the Catholic church continues and that it still begins at the top,” she said. … He was speaking at the papal nunciature in Dublin to executives of the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (Amri) on Thursday last. Amri is an …