Dublin Junior Leader Training Dates Announced; Heritage week continues; Institutions and ordinations; Vacancy for a Parish Administrator, Belfast; Cardinal warns of battle over plan to change abortion law; Bad law’ risks in abortion rape row; DUP’s Jim Wells: Abortion should be ruled out for rape victims; DUP’s Jim Wells: Abortion should be ruled out for rape victims; Editor’s Viewpoint: Our dream of a tolerant society still a long way off; Seven police officers injured in Belfast parade disturbances
Dublin Junior Leader Training Dates Announced
Junior leaders make a valuable contribution to many Sunday Clubs and other parish children’s groups, often as part of the President’s Award Scheme. Junior leaders, from the age of 13, build significant relationships with younger children and help in the running of activities. Yet these young people are often given little guidance as to how influential their relationship with children can be. As junior leaders they are in positions of responsibility, and like adult leaders certain behaviour is expected.
Through the Children’s Ministry Network the issue was raised that it is the responsibility of the Church to give junior leaders encouragement and appropriate training. In response to this there will be two separate training evenings in September for junior leaders. These evenings will highlight areas of responsibility for junior leaders and encourage them in the contribution that they make to their parish. The sessions will be run by Jenny Price, Church of England Safeguarding Advisor for the Dioceses of Bradford & Wakefield. Jenny has experience of running sessions for junior leaders.
The sessions will take place on Wednesday September 19 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm in Athy Parish Centre (beside St Michael’s Church, Offaly Street) and on Thursday September 20 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm in Rathfarnham Parish Centre (beside Rathfarnham Church, Main Street).
To book a place please send the name of the junior leader and their parish by Friday September 14 to either of the following:
Renee English (Child Protection Officer) 01–4125662, email: Renee.English@rcbdub.org Revd Anne Taylor (Children’s Ministry Network) 01–4905543 email: revannetaylor@gmail.com.
Heritage week continues
Heritage Week events continue this week. In Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, there will be guided tours each day at 11 am and 2.30pm, beginning on Monday. In addition there will be themed lunchtime tours by Dr Michael O’Neill (floor tiles), Ms Sue Hemmens (music), Dr Kenenth Milne (19th century restoration), Mr Leslie Taylor (belfry) and Mrs Lesley Whiteside (stained glass).
Institutions and ordinations
On Monday evening the Bishop of Down & Dromore will institute the Revd Stanley Gamble to the incumbency of Killinchy union of parishes, and on Thursday evening the Bishop of Clogher will introduce Capt David Hamilton, from the Church Army, as evangelist with responsibility for the Aghadrumsee group of parishes in Co. Monaghan.
On Friday evening in St Iberius’ church, Wexford the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will ordain to the priesthood the Revd Nicola Halford, as curate for Wexford & Kilscoran Union, and the Revd James Wallace, as curate for Waterford Union.On Friday evening in St Iberius’ church, Wexford the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will ordain to the priesthood the Revd Nicola Halford, as curate for Wexford & Kilscoran Union, and the Revd James Wallace, as curate for Waterford Union.
Vacancy for a Parish Administrator, Belfast
The Select Vestry of St Columba’s, Knock, is seeking to appoint a Parish Administratorto provide an effective and responsive support to the Rector, parish officers and parishioners.
Salary: £21,000 per annum (pro rata based on 40 hr week) Working hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 1.00pm (minimum 20 hr week) This is a three year fixed term appointment (with potential for renewal)
Duties will mainly fall into the following areas: secretarial administrative support to the clergy team; maintenance of parish records; operation of the parish computer system and management of the parish office.
An application form and detailed job description may be requested by email from the following address: job@coiknock.net
Completed applications must be received by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 12 September 2012.
The parish of St. Columba’s, Knock, is an equal opportunities employer and applications will be considered strictly on the basis of merit. Any offer of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of Access NI checks.
Cardinal warns of battle over plan to change abortion law
Irish Independent – The all-Ireland primate said it was important that the Catholic Church and other groups should come together to defend the “equal right to life” of mother and child. Meanwhile, tensions are simmering between Fine Gael and Labour over the controversial …
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cardinal-warns-of-battle-over-plan-to-change-abortion-law-3209791.html
Bad law’ risks in abortion rape row
Newsletter – A Northern Ireland anti-abortion campaigner says that narrowing the debate to focus on the tiny percentage of rape-related cases runs the risk of creating “bad law”.Bernie Smyth of Precious Life was speaking yesterday after debating the issue with pro-choice advocate Anna Lo MLA on the BBC’s Nolan Show. The pair debated abortion for rape victims 24 hours after DUP’s health minister-in-waiting Jim Wells MLA said on the programme he was personally opposed to abortion in such cases.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/bad-law-risks-in-abortion-rape-row-1-4200963
DUP’s Jim Wells: Abortion should be ruled out for rape victims
Belfast Telegraph – The man set to become Northern Ireland’s next Health Minister has sparked a furious row after claiming rape victims should not be allowed to abort an unborn child.
DUP MLA Jim Wells said women who suffer a sexual assault must not be exempt from the strict laws banning abortion here — and should instead consider handing their baby over for adoption.
The controversial remarks have sparked an angry backlash from victims’ charities and pro-life campaigners.
Alliance MLA Anna Lo claimed Mr Wells was “still living in the dark ages”.
“Women have a choice over their own body and for men like Jim Wells to say that is wrong,” she said.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dups-jim-wells-abortion-should-be-ruled-out-for-rape-victims-16202088.html
Editor’s Viewpoint: Our dream of a tolerant society still a long way off
Belfast Telegraph – It has taken decades for people in Northern Ireland to realise that the best way forward is to seek toleration on differing viewpoints and to work together on what they have in common.
A recent example of a lack of tolerance has been provided by the designate Health Minister Jim Wells. He said that women who become pregnant after a rape should not be permitted to have an abortion, and should consider handing over the baby for adoption.
His views have rightly caused fury across the political spectrum, and even his own DUP has distanced itself from his controversial comments.
Mr Wells has not commented further, at this time of writing, but his initial statement still seriously questions his suitability as chair of the Assembly’s Health Committee and as a future Health Minister.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/viewpoint/editors-viewpoint-our-dream-of-a-tolerant-society-still-a-long-way-off-16202428.html
Seven police officers injured in Belfast parade disturbances
BBC News – Seven police officers have been injured during a contentious loyal order parade in Belfast city centre.
The trouble broke out after a number of bands defied rulings made by the Parades Commission.
The restrictions were put in place after a loyalist band was filmed playing a contentious song outside a Catholic church in July.
Other bands, which were restricted to playing a single drum beat, also breached the ruling.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19370473