Highest papal honour for Irish St Vincent de Paul member; Dublin and Glendalough Kids Summer Camp success; C of I Commission welcomes Pope’s encyclical on environment; Church press officer appointed; Former Moderator honoured at Downing Street; Archbishop of Canterbury on 7/7 anniversary; Papal visit will have ‘profound and lasting impact’ on New Yorkers, says cardinal; Media digest
Jim Wyss of the Miami Herald filed this overview from Quito, Ecuador, prior to the Pope’s arrival in South America.
Belfast Cathedral’s School project featured in BBC’s Songs of Praise; Public overwhelmingly rejects Troubles amnesty - poll; Portstewart churches hold Community Audit; Smart Thinking at St Canice’s; USA Presbyterian minister transfers to Ireland; Pray for a miracle at October synod - Pope Francis; Media digest
Can the C of I learn from the Episcopal bishops model of Christian toleration and respect for differences? - Houston McKelvey writes.
Four Revs a Minute on Tour de Foyle; Church buoyed by 25,000 at pro-life rally; Row over cross in Limerick Council chamber; Summer edition of Dublin’s Church Review; Killarney Concerts; Pope comes 'home' to South America; Christians fleeing ISIS must get priority asylum in Europe - bishops; Anglican cathedral in Zanzibar to house anti-human trafficking centre; Media digest
Sandra Millar, head of projects and developments, Archbishops’ Council writes
Investiture of Archbishop Martin with pallium; Shine a Light Sleepout at Christ Church Cathedral; Islamic community represented at funerals of Irish victims of Tunisian terrorist; Summer worship and outreach in Seagoe: Arklow Maritime and Marine Heritage Walk; The Heart Ache and Heart Warming Story of Leah; United Society Golf Classic; Eglish parish recruits new full forward; Church of England leadership shake up continues: Evangelical given traditionally Anglo-Catholic post
Or at least he might, judging from this excerpt from Mere Christianity - writes Jonty Langley
CS Lewis: Narnia sculptures to be erected in Belfast; First ordination in 14 years for the Diocese of Ossory; Candles and prayer in St Anne’s for Tunisian victims; Carrick rector blogs from Arctic; Sr Stan named ‘Ireland’s National Treasure’; Service of Thanksgiving for referendum decision; Christ Church Kilkeel celebrates 200 years; Irish Churches Peace Project resources online; Green Flag for South Abbey National School, Youghal; Archbishops of Armagh joint visit to Rome; Former Tipperary hurler will be ordained to the priesthood; Church spokespersons condemn Orange Hall attack; Media digest
Peter Kurti questions ‘the fearful falling out of step’ morality of churches and fossil fuels
Irish leadership at Vatican conference on people and the planet; Same-sex marriage: Bishop raps Church of Ireland over referendum; SpIRE - new institute of spirituality announced; Bishop Chillingworth welcomes Episcopal Church’s new Presiding Bishop; Major scout award for Fermanagh leader; Diploma in Pastoral Theology at Drumalis; Secular pupils feel left out in Church’s schools; CPE graduates at Cork University Hospital; Milestones of Medieval Dublin; USA: Episcopal General Convention approves marriage equality; Media digest
“It’s pretty hot for camel hair right now”, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said at the opening Eucharist of the Episcopal Church General Convention in Salt Lake City last week.
Methodist church’s Kirk House Wins Gold; Belfast Cathedral to feature on Songs of Praise on Sunday; Church plaques reveal links to ‘the bravest man’ at Waterloo; Methodist Church to make significant changes to safeguarding policies; Archbishop of Canterbury response to US Episcopal Church Resolution on Marriage; C of E Church House urged to kick out arms dealers; Walsingham launches 10 million renovation and expansion appeal; Dennis the Menace and the punk rock Rector; Media digest
Silent churches whilst international and domestic crises abound - writes Houston McKelvey
Presbyterian church introduces Auxiliary Ministers; Pope Francis blesses palliums for new archbishops; Irish Bishops’ condolences to victims of Tunisia shooting; Christ Church lectures on ‘Women and the Church’; Magna Carta and the Making of a Metropolis; Crinken parish celebrates 175 years of worship; Bishop of Oxford role 'to stay unfilled until September 2016’; Media digest
Presbyterian minister John Dunlop spoke on ‘Thought for the Day’ on BBC Radio Ulster on Friday 26th.
Service recalls those killed in farm accidents; Limavady’s singing priests; American Themed Organ Recital for Indepdence Day; “Bring one person to faith this year,” Methodist President urges; Indian missionary priests sent to rejuvenate ‘tired’ faith in Scotland; In prison, on the rails, fighting fit...CofE celebrates #newrevs; GAFCON criticism of Scotland, USA, and England; Episcopalians Against Gun Violence march in Salt Lake City
The independent statehood of the Vatican City allows Pope Francis to be a neutral voice of conscience for all of the peoples across the world, writes TP O’Mahony
Pope Francis to present palliums to two newest Irish archbishops; First African-American elected as Presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; Summer Presbyterian Herald now available; Summer Issue of Search available; Capitalism must 'draw alongside the suffering', says Archbishop Welby; Archbishop Welby responds to attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait; Presiding Bishop on Supreme Court’s ruling for marriage equality; Edinburgh congregation votes for equality in new vacancy process; WCC, Roman Catholic joint group celebrates 50 years of ecumenical work; Media digest
Religion will always return because it is hard to live without meaning, writes Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Irish guests at US Episcopal General Convention, Chronic lack of social housing and accommodation - SVP, Atheist Ireland criticises RTÉ’s Angelus revamp, Down Synod rejects plea to stop increasing parochial levies, New Extension to Bandonbridge National School opened, Ancient Holy Well Rededicated at Drumcondra, ‘Kids Big Adventure’ days are back in October, Service of Thanksgiving for outcome of referendum, Launch of Kells Type Trail, Openly gay vocations officer for the Diocese of Bangor, Media digest
The recent 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo prompted John Dunlop to give this Thought for Today on BBC Radio Ulster.
Former President McAleese hails Orange Order museum; Family fun day in Downpatrick; Oireachtas members at Dublin service for Berkeley students; Border walkers pray for peace; Down and Dromore Theological Working Group membership; Prayers for peace for the 12th July; United Reformed Church General Assembly to discuss same-sex marriage; Christian Aid welcomes report on climate change health threats; Media digest
Fourteen hundred years ago on 23 November 615 a great Irishman, Saint Columbanus, died in Bobbio, Italy - writes Neill Collins, a Columban missionary
Papal honour for Portstewart woman; Dublin parish’s 1 million euro goal; £12,000 funding boost for Ballykelly Church; C of I Standing Committee changes; C of I Committee on Human Sexuality to launch study guide; Archbishop of York upholds right to have different views on sexuality; Church of Scotland welcomes 19 new recruits to ministry; Papal envoy visits displaced Christians in Iraq; Media digest
A leading Belfast journalist, Alex Kane, who makes no secret of his agnosticism, had a right good go in the Belfast News Letter this week at those Christians in Northern Ireland who claim they are being persecuted - writes Houston McKelvey.
Berkeley Tragedy - interdenominational service today in Dublin; Visitors Flock to See Transformed Cathedral for Dublin Garden Festival; St Patrick's High School in Keady wins TES award; Belfast Child Contact Centre appeals for volunteers; Praise on the lawn at Hillsborough; It's not about being gay or straight, but being human; Archbishop Welby joins thousands on Alban Pilgrimage; Methodists in Britain send message of solidarity to Charleston; Sister Nirmala, Mother Teresa’s successor, dies at 81; Media digest
Saint Columbanus 1400 anniversary celebrated; Connor Streetreach team commissioned at Belfast cathedral; Priest concerned for Croagh Patrick’s future; Parish worships in former church at Folk Museum; One year on - Edinburgh church recovering from congregational split over the ordination of gay ministers; Jazz sounds a note of hope – Archbishop of Wales; Media digest
The legacy - positive and negative - of the Ulster Revival still resonates in this part of the island where the Scots Irish and Presbyterianism predominate.
TV special today on Knock Shrine; Charges are move against Christian faith - Pastor; Visiting Anglican archbishop warns of ‘unacceptable compromise’ on gay marriage; Gay marriage would not harm Church, bishop says; Corrymeela chief declares his support for same-sex marriage; Making the transition into circuit ministry; Church of Scientology attempting to stop documentary's UK release - libel concerns in Northern Ireland; New library and cross for Bray school; St Mel’s wins 2015 RIAI Pubic Choice Award; 200 years of prayer and praise in County Cork church; Media digest