Irish Protestantism Conference; Weaving a Rainbow of Prayer; Carrickfergus churches Olympic torch services; Ireland faces a choice between lucre and liberty; NI leaders to unveil gay rights blueprint; Fury over teaching cuts at Queen’s and University of Ulster; Ulster Lord’s concern over Republic’s plan to cut Protestant school funding; A space with a difference for youth
Irish Protestantism Conference
The first annual conference of the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism in NUI Maynooth will be held on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 June. The theme will be ‘Shaping identities: an historical and cultural exploration of Irish Protestantism’.
The keynote address will be given on the Friday evening by Professor Eugenio Biagini from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, who has been a regular visitor to Irish libraries and archives in recent years. Among the other speakers will be Professor Irene Whelan from Manhattanville College, New York, well known for her study of the Second Reformation, The Bible War in Ireland, Professor Alan Ford from Nottingham University who has written widely on Archbishop Ussher, and Professor Jacqueline Hill from NUI Maynooth.
Further details and booking information may be had from Dr Caroline Gallagher, Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism, Department of Adult & Community Education, NUI Maynooth (mary.c.gallagher@nuim.ie)
The Centre, which is largely the creation of Dr Caroline Gallagher and Dr Miriam Moffett, will be officially launched on Friday evening.
Weaving a Rainbow of Prayer
This Saturday, 2 June, the Centre for Spirituality in Armagh will hold a one day conference, ‘Weaving a Rainbow of Prayer’. The speaker will be Mary Fleeson who works in the scriptorium of Holy Island, Lindisfarne. She will speak about the Lindisfarne Gospels and conduct sessions on the use of its knotwork symbols. The day will conclude with Celtic Prayer in St Patrick’s cathedral. Details may be had at www.celtic-spitituality.net.
Early to church before ‘once in a lifetime’ Olympic torch event
Carrickfergus Times – Four Carrick churches are joining together to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic torch in town. Carrickfergus Methodist, Joymount Presbyterian, North Street Presbyterian and St Nicholas’ Church of Ireland will hold earlier services between 9:30 am … The torch will pass through the town at 11.00 am with local girl Emma Jefferson one of the torchbearers.
http://www.carrickfergustimes.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/early-to-church-before-once-in-a-lifetime-olympic-torch-event-1-3874383
Ireland faces a choice between lucre and liberty
The Guardian – Mary Kenny writes – Although church attendance in Ireland has declined – in some places, dramatically – 84% of the Irish population still defines itself as Roman Catholic. And many of those Irish Catholic values still remain in the deposit of the national psyche.That, I believe, is one reason the Irish are not uncomfortable with the concept of economic austerity. “Austerity” is the due enactment of penance, following sin or self-indulgence. I’ve heard scores of people all over the country say: “A bit of self-denial will do us no harm at all. Sure, we went over the top altogether with mad spending.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/25/ireland-faces-choice-lucre-liberty-eu
NI leaders to unveil gay rights blueprint
News Letter – Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness’s Stormont department is preparing to bring forward a gay rights document within months, a leaked report has revealed. A copy of the latest draft of the Stormont anti-sectarianism strategy obtained by the News Letter reveals that the “sexual orientation strategy” is due to be published by the end of the year.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ni-leaders-to-unveil-gay-rights-blueprint-1-3886275
Fury over teaching cuts at Queen’s and University of Ulster
Belfast Telegraph – A decision to “prop up” Stranmillis and St Mary’s teaching colleges at the expense of Northern Ireland’s two universities could end up in the High Court, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal. Both Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and University of Ulster (UU) are understood to be unhappy after their post-primary post graduate certificate in education (PGCE) places were slashed by the Department of Education this week.
Concern over Republic’s plan to cut Protestant school funding
Belfast Newsletter – One of the architects of the 1998 Belfast Agreement has raised questions in Parliament about whether the Republic of Ireland is complying with its human rights obligations under the Agreement. Lord Kilclooney, who as John Taylor was UUP deputy leader, said that he was particularly concerned at the decision to cut funding to Protestant church schools in the Republic. The education cuts have been strongly resisted by the Church of Ireland and …
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/concern-over-republic-s-plan-to-cut-protestant-school-funding-1-3881583
A space with a difference for young visitors
Irish Independent – Hundreds of young people from across Ireland are preparing to ‘Go! Be Church’ with an ambitious programme of events at the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) Chiara Luce Youth Space, running at the RDS, Dublin, from June 11-16.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/a-space-with-a-difference-for-young-visitors-3118549.html
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