Recently arguments over same-sex marriage have drowned out other legal cases where respect for religious conscience has prevailed. As debates rage over what constitutes human rights, secular society remains unpersuaded by the Church’s traditionalist stance. Conor Gearty writing in The Tablet -
There is more kindness in the world than you may believe
The Hatching of the Heart
Outreach into community is a gift to families in need; Ballymacash on the air; Records Of St Audoen"s Tell a Tale Of Early Dublin; Ex-Impartial journalist wins IFTA award for clerical abuse documentary; Religious orders refuse to budge on child-abuse payout; Catholic-bashers have embellished the truth about abuse in Catholic institutions; Full-time carers under financial strain; NI's domestic abuse rates rise; Children as young as 11 ‘sexting’ on social media
Archbishop of Canterbury faces "a challenge for the imagination”; People who ‘do God, do good’, says Baroness Warsi; New child poverty measure ‘fatally flawed’, say British churches; Archbishop prays on streets of Middlesbrough; Demand for winter shelters grows
Royal Irish Academy of Music Officially Becomes TCD Affiliate; Londonderry organ pipes prepare to sing again; Memorial Service for the Late Stuart Edward Gray; Organ Instructional Online Videos; Releases - Scandal of Grace, the new single from Hillsong United; First instrumental album from Bethel Music; New live album from Muyiwa
In this church, there will be no outcasts
Athy Messy Church Training Day; Retreat in the City; Places available For Galway Inter Faith Workshop; New Connor deacon; Moravian Bishop’s visit; Down Clergy Quiet Day before Lent; Media review
Wales: Bishop's Lent Appeal to help three charities; Christians urged to fast from tax-dodging companies during Lent; Leicester Cathedral announces first step in interment of King Richard III; Churches lead the way in providing compassionate health services
Sylvia Thompson writing in the Irish Times interviews Garth Bunting of Christ Church Cathedral, Ian Adams and others involved with New Monasticism Ireland.
The practice of courteousness
Vision in Limerick diocese; Cork Healthcare Chaplain presents research; Festival of Preaching; ‘Justice gap' for Northern Ireland Magdalene Laundry victims; Vacancy; Media review
Welsh Bishops take up Lent talk challenge; Inspirational prayer texts during Lent; Culture wars warning from CofE over same-sex marriage; House of Commons Marriage (same-sex couples) Bill; Aberdeen Church quits Kirk over homosexual clergy row; Susan Boyle launches Lent campaign tackling poverty; Church delight as end to Misery Making scrap metal trade becomes law; Media review
The Rt Rev Patrick Rooke, Bishop of Tuam, writes - Over the past year, every meeting of the Standing Committee has had an agenda item ‘Human Sexuality in the context of Christian Belief.’ This took us through the conference in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Co. Cavan, the debate at last year’s General Synod and on to what ‘the next steps’ should be.
Alex Kane writing in the News Letter - I have never been able to shake off the conviction that Gerry Adams is so steeped in cynicism, hypocrisy, re-invention and self-delusion that he has lost all contact with reality.
Reversals and Blessings
Ashes to Go @CUH; ‘Spiritual Capital’ series in TCD Chapel; Bishop of Down’s Lent message; Bishop of Down’s Lent reading
Church marks Ash Wednesday taking prayers to the Streets; Vicar of St George's Church, Baghdad: no better time than Lent to reflect; Going to university; "more than getting a job”; C of E presence at UN Commission on Status of Women; Media review
Warning of decisive shift away from Christian teachings: Benedict’s legacy; The ordeal awaiting us – watching all and sundry pontificating on all matters Papal and religious; Eight years: A timeline of Pope Benedict’s key moments; In pictures: From Cardinal Ratzinger to Pope Benedict XVI; Meet the men who could succeed Pope Benedict XVI; Explainer: How is a new Pope chosen?
"There is nothing sadder than a self-made man." (or Woman)
Bishop of Derry and Raphoe expresses sympathy to PSNI; Black Santa Funds Handed Out at St Ann’s; Downpatrick St Patrick’s Day Celebrations 2013; Children’s Storyteller Day at the Good Book Shop; Children’s Ministry Training; Media review - Some unionists do everything to put off Catholics – McClarty
Anglican leaders praise 'great theologian' as Pope resigns - Statements from the Archbishops of Armagh, Dublin, Canterbury, and York and the Primus of Scotland
Malmesbury Abbey prepares for return of popular Skate Festival; C of E fears downgrade of RE; New Archbishop of Canterbury facing showdown with senior bishops; Media review
The Presiding Bishop announces the annual Good Friday Offering; Zambian priest calls on Christians in Africa to fight corruption; Asia-America Theological Exchange Forum held in Philippines; Michael Oh becomes new Lausanne chief executive
The Dorchester Chaplains
Christian Unity update; Connor talks; Rural Dwellers Gather to Highlight Issues; Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People; Vacancies; Media review
Church Times celebrates 150 years; Generous worshippers challenged to act out in love; Consultation document on women bishops legislation; Media review
Even the most tragic stories find redemption in the story of the Bible.
Believing what we heard
Paul experienced "performance anxiety" before experiencing grace