Annual New Law Term Service; Irish Church reformers call for re-think on contraception, gay marriage; Bishop to address NI National Prayer Breakfast; Cardinal Murphy O’Connor to speak at Kilkenny faith event; Birr Methodists share church with C of I neighbours; Installations at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin; Architect of both Waterford cathedrals recalled as bust of first World War field marshal unveiled; Vatican Cricket Club to face Muslim XI, Anglican Church XI in series of matches; Persecuted church charity honours Sudanese archbishop; Media digest
So what do actively interested Irish Catholics expect from the three-week Synod of Bishops in Rome which opened with a Mass on Sunday? Patsy McGarry writes…
Archbishop’s tribute to playwright Brian Friel, former seminarian; McAleese: Church stance on homosexuality simply wrong; Ukip fury after last-minute snub from Belfast Methodist centre; Muslim generosity as Anglican Primates meet in Wales; Lectures mark restoration of St Bartholomew’s, Dublin; 50th anniversary of Ad Gentes and Mission Sunday; Irish bishops delegation to visit to the institutions of the European Union in Brussels; European churches call for unified political response to current migrant crisis; Media digest - links to 13 more current church news reports
Last week a sumptuous house located in one of the most scenic parts of the Dingle Peninsula was up for sale - writes Gerard O’Reagan.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on the challenge of new book by C of I archdeacon, Gordon Linney; Panellists announced for Presbyterian Church’s Economic Conference; Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools in Cork, Cloyne and Ross; Wales rugby coach amazed as priest ‘punches the air’ at victory over England; Archbishop Justin addresses Muslim Council of Wales; Belfast’s St Peter’s and Clonard in the frame if Pope comes to Ireland; Diocese asks lapsed Catholics why they left; Media digest
Irish Presbyterian input to major Bible publishing event; C of I Rector’s son awarded USA meritorious service medal; NI Secretary of State meets with faith leaders; Sligo to Kilmore walk for brick-making projects in India; Connor young people all set for Reveal 2015; Launch of the Scottish Episcopal Institute; Wolf Hall background to Belfast lecture; Bellringers Honoured at St Fin Barres’ Cathedral, Cork; Media digest
What – if any - will be the lasting legacy of the personal triumph of Pope Francis in Cuba and America last week? - Martin O’Brien writes
Taoiseach launches Kylemore Abbey education centre linked with Notre Dame university; Learning to disagree agreeably - C of I lessons from previous controversies; Christ Church Dublin vigil for peace and refugee crisis; Methodist Hosford Team returns from Homeless World Cup; Presbyterian Mutual Society makes £14m profit; New head chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces; Freed slave was baptised in Bandon - C of I records show; RSCM Meet and Sing in Kilbride; Prayers for Refugees at Donegal Schools' Service; New youth worker for Mount Merrion Church; ‘Humble’ pope is arrogant, says Evangelical Protestant Society; Media digest
Parents to get involved in Catholic religious education; Dublin discussion on future of denominational education; Bishop’s Council to be formed for Meath and Kildare; Preaching in Belfast - Sermons from St Anne’s in 1747 published; Healing Ministry’s service to support persecuted church; Belfast’s annual Legion of Mary Rosary procession; BBC and Methodist support for diocesan Kerygma choir concert; Media digest
In January 1980 Pope Francis came to live in Dublin…
Pope may visit Ireland for 2018 World Meeting of Families; Armagh Eamon Martin - challenge is to be faithful to the Church's teaching on marriage and the family; PCI Global Mission’s Secretary in Lebanon for Syria update; Launch of new religious education programme for Catholic primary schools: Grow in Love; Carnalea Methodist church takes part in National Prayer Weekend; Ulster Day commemoration and Orange bannerette dedication service in Belfast Cathedral; East Belfast focus on Dublin Protestants, The Easter Rising and After; Appreciation of St Fin Barre's Director of Music; Belfast Cathedral Chapter appoints new canon; Recitals in Limerick and Derry
My critics - and I have a few - often suggest that I am obsessed with Sinn Fein in general and Gerry Adams in particular and should get a life - writes Ruth Dudley Edwards
Pope Francis sends blessing to Irish National Eucharist Congress; ‘Handing on the faith in the Home’ thirty-five years on – Archbishop Eamon Martin at Knock; Barnardo’s stresses social media safety at St Patrick’s Cathedral Schools’ service; PCI’s Newcastle respite care home celebrates first anniversary; Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes UN 'Global Goals' for sustainable development; Gay clergy who defied bishops by marrying their male partners run for Synod; Pope shares Philly stage with Queen of Soul and Bocelli; Media digest
A fundamental problem is the use of language within our Society and how a word or phrase can have a multitude of meanings for different people, writes Kenny Donaldson, Spokesman for Innocent Victims United
Archbishop Clarke for historic event in Wales at invitation of Muslim leaders; Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Belfast; Irish Churches unite for climate change plea; Paisley son to speak out about father’s rejection by church; Scary books for children exhibition; Volunteers still needed for MAD Crew 2015; HUB Youth Event in Belfast; Foundations - Titanic Quarter gathering for young adults; Green concerns at Connor Synod; Over one million invited ‘back to church’; Protestant Pastors have positive view of Pope Francis and the Catholic Church; Media digest
Just when you thought the Presbyterian Church's handling of the same-sex issue could not get worse, it has humiliated one of its few female ministers by revealing her U-turn on the issue and by having its commission's ruling read out during her Sunday service - Alf McCreary writes.
The challenge of linking faith and life - Down and Connor programme; C of I Historical Society’s winter conference; Irish Harp Orchestra Belfast Concert by Candlelight; Presbyterian Church supports Hungarian partner's refugee aid work; Pope condemns abortion and hostility to migrants in speech to US Congress; Catholics demand female ordination during pope's visit; Media digest
The heads of the four main churches in Northern Ireland have come together to bless the new Stormont talks. Unfortunately, their 500-word statement only repeats the cliched liturgy undermining Stormont compromise - Newton Emerson writes in the Irish News.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin - contribution of Dublin parish pastoral councils “truly remarkable”; C of I bishops willing to help governments plan refugee support; International symposium on Jonathan Swift; Archbishop of Armagh maintains his Liverpool links; C of I lay training initiatives; Organ Scholarship Scheme Celebrates 25th Anniversary; Canadian Anglican commission makes theological case for marrying same-sex couples; Pope Francis arrives in Washington DC; Vatican flag to be raised at United Nations for the first time to mark Pope’s visit; Media digest
Stephen Shaw, the senior barrister who is one of three people appointed by the British government to assess the status of the Provisional IRA following the killing of Kevin McGuigan, is a born-again Christian with strong links to the evangelical wing of the DUP - Ed Moloney writes
Faith group dismay at Presbyterian Church action on minister’s welcome of Republic’s vote on same sex marriage; Merger of Limerick teacher training colleges abandoned; St Anne’s at the heart of Culture Night; New Honorary Secretary of C of I General Synod; Continuing popularity of annual West Cork bell ringing weekend; Most people in England are still Christian, says new study; Lay Reader leaves Church of England over his same-sex marriage; Vicar of Baghdad warns: Europe is ignoring the real refugees; Bishop Gene Robinson’s open letter to Pope Francis; Media digest
The headlines seem confused as to what Archbishop Welby has proposed last week. Dr Ian Paul looks at the history of the Anglican Church's homosexuality debates and explains what this latest announcement could actually mean.
‘Instability is erasing hope from people’s lives’ - Church leaders; Discovery Gospel Choir album launch; Trad for Trócaire launches 6th annual campaign; Paraguay mission has big impact on Flute Band Church members; Dedication Service at Derry food bank; MU President Elect for Clogher Diocese; RC and C of I bishops annual meeting; Clerical appointments and ceremonies; Padre Pio’s teaching still relevant - Archbishop Martin at Knock; Media digest
A review of responses to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s invitation to all of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
Moira team abseil for South Sudan project; Major faith and life convention for Down and Connor; Irish Methodist children aid Ghana church scholarships; Lamb Festival honours rector’s role; Comedian from Cookstown is knighted by Pope; Protestant neighbours keep watch for Catholic friends; Melanesian brother murdered in Papua New Guinea; Media digest
The controversy over the Republic’s same-sex marriage vote is back in the spotlight with a declaration read out at Armagh Road Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning that their minister, the Rev Christina Bradley, “fully accepted that marriage is to be between one man and one woman and homosexual practice is sinful” - The Portadown Times
Pastoral focus by Presbyterian Church in meeting with farming reps; Overseas priests 'not answer' to vocations crisis in Church’; PCI cleric who hailed gay marriage ‘accepts homosexuality sinful’; Church in Wales shows support for same sex marriage; President pays tribute to Enniskillen clergy and churches; Review of parish pastoral councils in the archdiocese of Dublin published; ANOIS 2015 - C of I youth residential Risk Takers theme; Irish soprano is ‘’very excited’’ about performing for Pope in the US; Belfast chorister now Minor Canon of Westminster Cathedral; Media digest
TCD sells its only academic building in Belfast - Irish School of Ecumenics; Archbishop of Canterbury calls for Primates' Gathering; C of I should share experience on marriage at Anglican Primates' meeting - Changing Attitude; Bishop Chillingworth responds to Archbishop Welby’s initiative; Children’s Ministry Network attends conference on family in Liverpool; Dungannon church geared up for Rugby World Cup; ‘Gifted American Preacher' to Share Expertise with Derry and Raphoe Clergy and Parish Teams; Family scenario has changed - Dublin Mothers’ Union members festival service; Ten year high in Derry C of I ordinations; Couldn't Run the Length of Myself; Tullamore bicentenary lecture; Media digest
Belfast Celtic Cross goes gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness; Culture Night on the Hill of Armagh; “The Priests of 1916” – Archdiocese releases Rising records to mark Culture Night; Church of Ireland missionaries feature in new history collection; An evening with misionary Maud Kells; Making Holiness Attractive theme of Methodist Headway event; Restored organ rededicated in Blessington; Obituary : Lady Coralie Kinahan; Media digest
The archbishop of Canterbury is proposing to effectively dissolve the fractious and bitterly divided worldwide Anglican communion and replace it with a much looser grouping - writes Andrew Brown