Archbishop welcomes decision on new Post Primary School; Christchurch former organist takes Cathedral to tribunal; We can learn from Harry Potter, monk tells academics; Down institutions; No way church can put abuse behind it – Archbishop; Higher suicides in Troubles group; NI drink laws review
Archbishop welcomes decision on new Post Primary School
The announcement by Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Ruairí Quinn, TD, that the patronage of the new post-primary school in Greystones, County Wicklow, has been awarded to the Church of Ireland has been warmly welcomed by the Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough, The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson.
Dr Jackson described the decision by the Minister for Education and Skills, as ‘very positive’ and said it ‘demonstrated a recognition that faith based schools still have a role to play in Irish education. The construction of the new school now presented an exciting opportunity for the community of Greystones, Delgany and the wider North Wicklow area.’
‘The prospect of a new secondary school in the Greystones area is something which I greatly welcome. There is clear need for urgent provision of such facilities for the children of the area. I am well aware of the significant work that members of the community have put into this bid and I both congratulate them and thank them for all their hard work on it. I look forward to working with the new Board of Management and with the Department of Education and Skills as the future of the school is planned and carried through,’ Dr Jackson added.
There was an overwhelmingly positive response from parents in the Greystones and Delgany area to the Archbishop’s application for patronage of the new post-primary school, with almost 2,000 parents expressing their preference through both written and online sign-ups.
As Patron, the Archbishop will shortly move to appoint an interim Board of Management which will lead the development of the new school.
Christchurch former organist takes Cathedral to tribunal
Independent – Ireland’s first ever female cathedral organist, who has been described as “the greatest conductor of her generation”, claims she was bullied out of her prestigious job as choir conductor at Christ Church Cathedral by its dean.
Judy Martin (45) is claiming constructive dismissal by the cathedral and its most senior cleric, the Very Rev Dermot Dunne, who is dean of Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin and Glendalough.
In opening arguments at the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin yesterday, Ms Martin’s legal counsel Peter Shanley said Ms Martin was forced to resign from her job due to an ongoing campaign of “bullying, harassment and intimidation” by Rev Dunne.
Counsel for Rev Dunne, Michael MacNamee, said his client “categorically denies” the allegations.
http://www.herald.ie/news/i-was-bullied-into-quitting-says-choir-boss-3179131.html
We can learn from Harry Potter, monk tells academics
Politics has failed us, economics has failed us and the weather has failed us.
Now one of the country’s leading monks has said we should look to Harry Potter and his magic for something better.
Academics gathered from across the world yesterday at the University of Limerick (UL) for the country’s first conference exploring the cultural influence of the Potter books and films.
The keynote address of the two day event — entitled ‘Magic is Might 2012’ — was given by the abbot of Glenstal Abbey in Limerick, Mark Patrick Hederman.
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/latest-news/we-can-learn-from-harry-potter-monk-tells-academics-3179766.html
Down institutions
Revd Stanley Gamble will be instituted as incumbent of the Killinchy Union on Monday 27 August 2012 at 8.00pm. The likely venue is Killinchy Parish Church.
Revd Joanne Megarrell will be instituted as incumbent of the Parish of Moira on Thursday 4 October, 2012 at 8.00pm in St John’s Church.
No way church can put abuse behind it – Archbishop
Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has said there is no way in which the Catholic Church can put definitively behind it the scandals of the sexual abuse of vulnerable children. In an address to the MacGill Summer school in Glenties, Ireland, on Tuesday, he said there is “no way” the abuse of thousands of children within the Irish church can be swept under the rug. Diarmuid Martin has said that there were “questions still to be answered” in relation to the abuse scandal.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0724/archbishop-martin-abuse.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0725/1224320764736.html
http://www.thejournal.ie/archbishop-suggests-investigation-into-magdalene-laundries-532429-Jul2012/
Higher suicides in Troubles group
People who grew up in the worst years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland are more prone to suicide, according to research at Queen’s University Belfast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18969202
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ulster-s-troubled-young-people-failed-1-4087008
NI drink laws review
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/make-drinkers-queue-twice-and-tax-late-night-pubs-nelsons-booze-blueprint-16188964.html