News – June 3

New Presbyterian Moderator: ‘We need to be there for people’;  Priest calls for structured conversation in the Church;  Clergyman who doused Belfast Telegraph man in water admits he overreacted;  Bishop And Archdeacon Go Head-To-Head in MU Bake-off;  Volunteer Week at Belfast Central Mission;  Day of Prayer for our land in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast;  Dublin Garden Festival at Christ Church Cathedral;  Mary Berry plainchant book republished;  Moderator expresses sadness at death of Charles Kennedy;  Media digest

News – June 2

Rev Alan Kilpatrick's first service held in social club;  Rev Tom Conway at Knocknamuckley : 'If you print a picture of me I'll sue.’;  Praise for Presbyterian who backed same-sex marriage;  Christian Aid Workshop Highlights Gender Justice Issues;  Decline in number of Irish Presbyterians continues;  Five hundred people attend Mass for the ordination of nine men to the diaconate;  Re–Dedication and Ecumenical Blessing of Drumcondra Well;  Archbishop of Canterbury preaches in China;  Media digest

News – June 1

C of I row: call for rector's supporters on vestry to quit;  Bangor Abbey holds funeral service for human remains found after 800 years;  ‘No logical reason' not to have women priests - senior priest in wealthy Irish parish;  Final preparations for Presbyterian General Assembly;  Reach out to victimised and stigmatised - Archbishop Eamon Martin;  Launch of Magna Carta Exhibition at Christ Church, Dublin;  Nine deacons ordained in Maynooth;  Style in the aisle as Ulster University fashion students put on St Anne's Cathedral show;  Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to China underway;  Obituary - Rev Professor Liam Ryan

Trinity Sunday – Born again

Trinity Sunday… is a day to celebrate the greatest mystery of all… a day to ponder the dynamics of one God in three divine persons.

Comment – Knocknamuckley and GAFCON – C of I RIP?

The reality is that the C of I is a divided house and that it is so is due to a corpus of clergy and laity who have claimed exclusive rights to the title “evangelical”

News – May 30

Portadown Presbyterian minister has welcomed the ‘yes’ vote;  Knocknamuckley rector regrets dropping traditional service;  Presbyterian General Assembly to take place next week;  Cleric warns over occult ‘Charlie Charlie’ internet game;  Down & Connor Theology of the Body formation initiative;  Entertainment and Evensong to celebrate Guinness restoration of St Patrick’s;  Orangefield welcomes a new rector;  Yeats 150 - C of I Archives record key events of the poet’s life;  Over 180 new clerical abuse allegations reported in past year;  Pope Francis: Marriage and family facing ‘serious cultural crisis’;  Media digest

News – May 29

Cleric to move from divided C of I parish;  Ashers bakery to appeal 'gay cake' ruling;  GB Methodist investigation uncovers nearly 2,000 cases of abuse;  Clergy couple are running to hell and back;  Discovery Gospel Choir concert in Down cathedral;  CSTV live stream of Bill O’Herlihy’s funeral today;  WCC and Church leaders warn of deteriorating situation in South Sudan;  Lord Patten urges Vatican to accept sweeping changes to its media operation;  Pope to Franciscans: Stay true to charism, keep people’s respect;  Media digest

News – May 28

Irish Bishop says Yes result “increased the sum of human happiness”;  C of I ‘must honour’ parishioners in gay marriages - Church of Ireland Gazette;  Individual charged is not a past or present employee of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin;  Four Nations faith consultation meets in Dublin on gospel and mission;  Archbishops of Dublin ‘thinking allowed’ tonight on ‘What is the Spirit saying to the Churches?‘;  Ethnic input at Annual Civic Service in St Patrick’s, Ballymena;  Graduate Fashion Show in St Anne’s Cathedral;  Kilkenny three choirs concert;  Kilbride Cyclists Charity Challenge;  NI Equality Commission to guide firms on how equality law works;  Church leaders: ‘South Sudanese are being killed, raped and tortured’;  Anglican newsletter helps to redress balance in portrayal of Islam;  Media digest

News – May 27

Major Anglican pressure group to meet in Belfast;  C of I House of Bishops is divided - Church Times;  Moderator finds Church in ‘Good heart’ prior to General Assembly;  Methodist Church President comments on marriage vote;  Former C of I worker facing 75 abuse charges;  St Anne’s, Shandon, hosts annual service to mark IDAHOT;  Over 50s’ volunteering taster at Belfast Cathedral;  Scottish Episcopal General Synod 2015;  Monks bring Trappist art of beer-making to the United States

CNI comment – A time for Christian leadership and communication

In the immediate wake of the referendum in the Republic the responses from the churches rightly came under scrutiny.

News – May 26

C of I archbishop of Dublin responds to referendum after criticism;  New York view of a changing Ireland;  Ireland no longer so Catholic;  Ireland celebrates Africa Day;  First Minister in Moderator’s thoughts and prayers;  Michael Palin on the place of church in community;  Francis: Beatification of Oscar Romero is a cause for great joy;  Media digest

News – May 25

Referendum outcome - huge task facing church to get its message across to young people - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin;  Post-referendum statement by C of I bishops;  Presbyterian Church response to the marriage referendum;  Waterford’s ‘café theology’ attracts large numbers to discuss faith issues;  Down and Dromore youth Christian character course;  Family relieved as Irish priest released from captivity in Nigeria;  Celebrations in Drumcondra as extended National School is opened;  Faith Group welcomes Yes vote;  Church of England to consider 'transgender baptism' service;  Media digest

Pentecost – a celebration of diversity

There’s no better time to celebrate the diversity of the Kingdom of God than on the Day of Pentecost. Separately, our differences are too diverse to list, but put together, our individual uniqueness creates a beautiful kaleidoscope we call the Body of Christ.

News – May 23

Prince Charles: Northern Ireland must not be prisoner of its past;  Duchess of Cornwall visits Methodist East Belfast Mission ;  Regular mass attendance is at around 20% in Down & Connor diocese;  Dublin Ecumenical Bible Week Starts This Sunday;  Presbyterian Mutual Society makes only half its scheduled bailout loan repayments to DETI;  Church of Scotland sends decision on same sex marriage to presbyteries;  Media digest

Comment – Does the DUP need a conscience clause?

Criticism from a son of founder Ian Paisley would suggest so.

News – May 22

Royal visit to historic Belfast Catholic church;  New C of I Greystones school celebrates major progress;  ‘Fantastic’ Training Event for Children’s Leaders in Connor;  McAleese referendum claims are rejected by ‘No’ campaigners;  Going Up The Holy Mountain - spiritual guide by C of I archdeacon launched by Catholic priest;  Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Turns Purple to Highlight World IBD Day;  Derry Diocese MA in Catholic School Leadership;  Beatification of Oscar Romero;  Church of Ireland bishops divided on same-sex marriage;  ‘Mervyn and I felt we were in a marriage’ - Dr Richard O’Leary

News – May 21

Prince Charles visit: Mountbatten bomb bereaved attend church service;  Methodist Response to Ashers Verdict;  Churches lament ‘loss of religious liberties’ after cake determination;  Victims query Bishop’s Easter Rising address;  Belfast Cathedral’s Choir Schools in concert;  Irish Methodist Conference schedule;  Church of Scotland seeking new style of pioneering minister;  Irish Presbyterian ‘deep sorrow’ at Scottish gay vote; Jean Vanier receives Templeton Prize;  Mission calls for recognition of seafarers’ role in migrant rescue;  Caritas names Oscar Romero as patron saint;  Robert Schuller, televangelist - obituary;  Media digest

News focus: Judge’s ruling on Asher’s bakery – May 20

Christian bakery ‘unlawfully discriminated’ by refusing to make pro-gay marriage cake;  Presbyterian Church’s ‘profound concern’ over Ashers’ ruling; A role for the churches? - CNI Comment

News – May 20

Lisa Sharon Harper to speak at Church’s Ministry of Healing event;  70 mile pedal for Christian Aid – before 11am service;  Diocesan Children’s Praise Party proves popular;  Dublin clerical appointment;  Pope Francis: Faithful don’t need bishops ordering them around;  First English Dominican given consultor role in Pontifical Council;  Media digest

News – May 19

Irish bishops to pay counselling costs for children of priests;  Singing from the same old hymnsheet? RSCM launches hymn book survey;  Over 300 attend St Luke’s Cork conference on dementia;  Thanks and Praise Roadshows for new C of I book;  Cork director of music to retire;  Methodist witness at Balmoral Show;  25th anniversary of women priests in the Church of Ireland - RTE Archives;  Unaffiliated outnumber Catholics in the US for the first time, survey shows;  Burundi Unrest: Christian Aid partners prepare to respond;  Media digest

News – May 18

Church of Scotland votes to allow gay ministers in civil partnerships;  Washington Post’s take on Ireland’s same-sex marriage vote;  Cashel, Ferns & Ossory Christian studies course underway;  Pupils in North divided by income more than religion, says study;  Church of Scotland General Assembly 2015 meets;  Victim wins six-figure payout from Church of England over abuse by paedophile Leeds priest

News – May 16

Bishop of Cork Attends Launch of Cork LGBT Awareness Week 2015;  C of I parishioner celebrates 105th birthday as PCI Adelaide House resident;  New UK health minister under fire for opposing abortion;  Rowers circumnavigate Singapore Island to support The Mission to Seafarers;  Church Times overview of C of I General Synod;  ’Thanks and Praise' Roadshows;  Ballymena bells ring out for VE anniversary;  Media digest

News – May 15

Knocknauckley: This impasse can't continue... it's time for tough decisions - Senior journalist;  IDAHOT (anti-homophobia) services around Ireland this Sunday;  Archbishop calls for prayers ahead of Irish referendum in Lourdes homily;  C of I Clergy will help Serbian church develop preaching ministries;  Green Pastures ‘mini village’ in Ballymena gets the go-ahead;  Pax Christi International world assembly opens in Bethlehem;  Anglicans continue emergency assistance following second Nepal quake;  Media digest

News – May 14

Archbishops and leading theologian call for Yes vote;  Catholic marriage service Accord to lose funding – but not because it’s against same-sex marriage;  Shankill remembers Protestant and Catholic victims of Famine;  Clogher dioceses Pentecost ecumenical service;  Moderator praises work of the probation service;  US Choir concert for Christian Aid Ireland;  Exhibition Marking 150th Anniversary Of Restoration Of St Patrick's Cathedral Opens;  Archbishop of Canterbury receives ‘poison pen letters’ - calls on Christian groups to be more tolerant ;  Kirk in crisis — Church of Scotland losing 300 members a week;  Ecumenism between Catholic and Anglican Churches may be ending;  Champion of liberation theology gets rehabilitation treatment;  Media digest

News – May 13

Leading figures and two former C of I Archbishops in favour of Yes; Facebook workshop for Dublin and Glendalough parishes; Knocknamuckley: I'm waiting for it all to die down, says trendy rector at the heart of the storm; Christ Church Cathedral Launches Dublin Garden Festival 2015; Young Methodist Wins Mission to Mars; Day of support for persecuted Christians in the Middle East; New chair of CMS Ireland; Archbishop of Canterbury becomes patron of Christians Against Poverty; Kirk says ‘Tomorrow’s Calling’ in recruitment drive for new ministers; Cuban bishops reveal dates for papal visit; Christian Aid effort to get relief supplies through to Nepal area hit by second major quake; Scottish threshers for Malawi; Media digest

News – May 12

Inquiry to focus on priest abuse and three NI state facilities;  Well known priest and broadcaster supports RSCM’s Music Sunday;  Inter-church Pentecost Sunday Walk of Witness in Moville;  Bishop leads controversial Knocknamuckley Black service;  World Communications Day 2015 – Communicating the Family;  Cork Parish Marks Centenary of Sinking of  Lusitania;  Parish choirs raise the roof in Dublin Cathedral’s Music Outreach;  Lead Pioneer Evangelist appointed for Connor Diocese;  Former musician appointed rector of Eglantine Parish;  Church of Ireland faces shrinking congregations crisis - comment on;  Archbishop's Ascension Day sermon live on BBC Radio 4;  Election result requires early delivery of new powers - Church of Scotland;  Christian Aid welcomes UK Cabinet appointment on climate change and development;  Media digest

News – May 11

Christian Aid helping the plight of Ethiopian women;  PW - Presbyterian Women - elects new President at Annual Meeting;  St Patrick’s Cathedral Exhibition on 15th anniversary of Guinness restoration;  Bishops divided on same-sex marriage, say C of I Archbishops;  Call on Churches to learn from Ireland's embrace of equality for gay people;  C of I Clergy Encouraged to use services of Marriage Council;  Mission is exercised in the ordinary things - General Synod Mission Breakfast;  Youth Fellowship fundraises to support Diocese in South Sudan;  Archbishop of Canterbury's Sermon at VE Day Thanksgiving Service;  Anglican-Catholic Commission to hold 2016 meeting in Canada;  Media digest

News – May 9

Work to begin on £2.4m building project at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church;  Archdeacon says ‘No’ referendum posters are homophobic;  Irish Times - C of I cleric’s review of various churches’ stances on Same-sex marriage;  Same-sex marriage: Church of Ireland defers report on 'elephant in the room’;  Charter for good conduct in C of I;  Inter-church relations a major focus of C of I Synod;  Down parish gift of bikes to South Sudan clergy;  Primus Chillingworth comments on General Election outcome;  Massive funding boost for Church of Scotland’s dementia arts programme;  ‘Missionaries of mercy’ to forgive abortion under Pope Francis’ orders;  Media digest - Irishman funds Belfast's Homeless Jesus;  Lusitania’s victims must be honoured, says President

News – May 8

Rory McIlroy Hoylake flag prize for Christian Aid  Holywood golf day;  Archbishop seeks confident long–term vision for the Church of Ireland;  Archbishop Clarke in appeal over 1916 Rising and Somme tributes;  Only 15% of Church of Ireland members attend services;  Marathon challenge for cathedral choir tour fundraisers;  Geoffrey McConnel is Armagh’s May organ recitalist;  Memorial service for children killed in 1916;  Minister for Arts to unveil Blue Plaque for Ulsterwoman who espoused temperance;  John McAreavey and Martina Purdy will speak at Derry Novena;  Cardinal Nichols to celebrate Mass for gay Catholics;  Media Digest

News – May 7

1916 Commemoration  - C of I Bishop speaks on mending broken relationships;  Paddy Anglican : Marriage Equality 2015 - Waking up to the Importance of the issue;  C of I General Synod commences today;  Catholic Church in north won't ape Dublin's ban on photographs;  Archbishop Clarke to preach at Cairncastle bicentenary celebration;  Festival of Faith and Flowers to celebrate Adare church’s 700 years;  Age Action needs help on Saturday June 13;  Church unity stressed at major Alpha leadership conference;  Sierra Leone Methodist Conference meets amid Ebola restrictions;  WCC calls for day of prayer for South Sudan;  Media digest