Links to today’s news reports about faith, politics and education from Ireland, and GB.
IRELAND
I regret crocodile jibe, it helped Sinn Fein to demonise me: Foster
Belfast telegraph
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/i-regret-crocodile-jibe-it-helped-sinn-fein-to-demonise-me-foster-35517531.html
RHI enquiry will take more than six months, judge
News Letter
A public inquiry into the botched Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme will not be able to complete its work within the six-month time frame, the chairman of the probe has said.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/rhi-probe-cannot-be-completed-in-six-month-period-1-7859841
BBC News
The public inquiry into a botched energy scheme will take more than six months, says its chairman.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39219507
Irish government failing in its duties over Kingsmills, MP
News Letter
UUP chief negotiator Tom Elliott has told Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan that Dublin is failing in its commitments to disclosure on Troubles legacy matters – in particular in relation to the Kingsmills massacre.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/irish-government-failing-in-its-duties-on-kingsmills-mp-1-7859838
Victims group concerns about concessions on legacy issues
News Letter
Terror victims groups have expressed grave concerns about what concessions may be made on legacy issues during current political talks.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/terror-victims-fear-more-legacy-concessions-to-sf-1-7859840
Catholic primate backs call for NI mother-and-baby home inquiry
BBC News
Archbishop Eamon Martin supports call for inquiry into mother-and-baby homes in Northern Ireland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39224430
VIDEO: Dáil debate on Tuam babies’ scandal delayed as less than 20 TDs show up
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/videos/irish-news/video-dil-debate-on-tuam-babies-scandal-delayed-as-less-than-20-tds-show-up-35515963.html#play
Higgins: Tuam has ‘blown open locked doors of hidden Ireland’
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/higgins-tuam-has-blown-open-locked-doors-of-hidden-ireland-35514854.html
GB
Newspaper headlines: Hammond hammered over Budget tax rise
BBC News
The row over increases in National Insurance for self-employed workers rumbles on in the press.
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-the-papers-39226504
Christian Today
Report that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is to launch a new training session aimed at helping Christians to share their faith. The video will be available for download and use in churches from March 20 and is part of Thy Kingdom Come the global ‘wave of prayer’ between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ.
Mail
Report that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari will return home today after nearly two months on medical leave. The 74-year-old has been in London since January 19. The article reports that yesterday President Buhari tweeted two photographs of him with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4298944/Buhari-return-Nigeria-Friday-treatment-presidency.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
BBC/Tel/Guard/Times/Mail/Church Times/Christian Today
News reports that the Bishop of Burnley, Philip North, has withdrawn his acceptance of the nomination to become the next Bishop of Sheffield (see Statement from the Bishop of Burnley, and the Archbishop of York, above, also statements from the Bishop of Doncaster and the Bishop of Blackburn).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39223112
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/09/new-bishop-sheffield-stands-aside-attacks-views-women-priests/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/09/bishop-turns-down-promotion-after-protests-over-stance-on-women
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bishop-quits-after-rejecting-women-priests-h9kxpbj3m
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4299682/Incoming-Bishop-Sheffield-quits-starts.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Mail/Mirror/Metro/Sun
Reports that the Queen was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the unveiling of a memorial to the 300,000 members of the Armed Forces who served in conflicts between 1990 and 2015. A ceremony of dedication was led by Bishop to the Forces, Nigel Stock. The Sun also quotes the Chaplain to the Fleet, Ven Ian Wheatley.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4296450/Memorial-unveiled-Iraq-Afghanistan-veterans.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-family-watches-memorial-honouring-9999480
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3049949/kate-william-afghanistan-and-iraq-war-heroes-furious-blair/
Christian Today
Reports the views of Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, head of the traditionalist grouping Gafcon, who described increasing calls for the Church to soften its stance on gay relationships as ‘distressing’.
Mirror/Christian Today
Articles on the Knights Templar amid speculation that a 700-year old labyrinth known as Caynton Caves in Shropshire could have been where persecuted Knights Templar sought refuge.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/who-were-knights-templar-hide-9996410#ICID=nsm
Mail/Exp
Further coverage that that St Paul’s Cathedral has appointed a female chorister, believed to be the first in its history.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4296732/St-Paul-s-Cathedral-gets-female-chorister.html
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/777066/St-Paul-Cathedral-London-welcome-first-female-chorister-time-history-woman-singer
Christian Today
Further coverage of report that British archaeologist Dr Ken Dark, from Reading University, believes he may have found the house in Nazareth where Jesus grew up.