A Rapid Reading Review – short reports and web links to issues affecting the churches
Bishop hails “Prime Minister of fun” Frank Carson
Belfast Telegraph – Frank Carson was celebrated as the “Prime Minister of fun” by one of his oldest friends today.
In a touching homily, Bishop Edward Daly, recounted telling Carson a joke only to be told he’d never make a comic.
The bishop promised not to make jokes or try to be witty but just remember the 85-year-old as he was.
“Frank made millions of people smile and laugh,” he said.
“He brightened up their lives.
“He was a Prime Minister of fun.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/bishop-hails-quotprime-minister-of-funquot-frank-carson-16125918.html#ixzz1o8Pc5d9h
Majority of rape victims keep babies
Irish Examiner – Most of the women and girls who attend Rape Crisis Centres after being made pregnant as a result of rape go on to keep their babies. However, the Rape Crisis Network Ireland says it can not know for certain whether they parented by choice or because the option of abortion was not available to them in this country.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/majority-of-rape-victims-keep-babies-185602.html
Sinn Fein chairman: IRA should say sorry for hurt caused
Belfast Telegraph – One of the most senior figures in the Sinn Fein leadership has challenged republicans to say “sorry” — not for the IRA war, but for the hurt caused by all its armed actions. Declan Kearney, the party’s national chairman, sets out his thinking in the latest edition of republican newspaper An Phoblacht. But it is not clear how or when the wider republican leadership will respond.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/sinn-fein-chairman-ira-should-say-sorry-for-hurt-caused-16125881.html?r=RSS&google_editors_picks=true#ixzz1o5DJvJZM
The Old Boys produced sweet choral music
Portadown Today – … in the Old Boys band to be conductor of the choir. Bobby recalls that they sang at church services, in the occasional competition, and in Crumlin Road prison “three times to a captive audience!” and in various functions in the Republic of Ireland.
http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/community/nostalgia/the_old_boys_produced_sweet_choral_music_1_3566750
Choir of the Year 2012 Auditions at Ulster Hall
Insideireland.ie – On Sunday 11 March, The Ulster Hall is welcoming Irish applicants, who will be singing for places in the semi-finals of the 15th biannual Choir of the Year. Choirs from all across the UK will be competing in the BBC Choir of the Year competition, which takes places throughout 2012. By the end of March, over 150 choirs will have taken part across a total of seven auditions in the hunt for 2012′s Choir of the Year. The audition in Belfast is the first Choir of the Year audition in Northern Ireland for many years and is being made …
http://insideireland.ie/2012/02/27/choir-of-the-year-2012-auditions-at-ulster-hall-57813/