Review of current educational, medical, family and social issues in Ireland
George Clooney credits Christian aid agencies ; Faith groups ‘prevented from doing vital community work by anti-religious prejudice’ ; Let African faith lead the Church of England
Reports include: Queen's speech at Westminster; Nursing shortages; Sharia law and honour codes in UK; Sunday trading developments; Grandparents better than nurseries
Gay marriage is not a ‘human right’: European ruling torpedoes Coalition stance ; Gay ‘marriage’ not a right, prohibiting gay adoption not ‘discrimination’: European Court ; Jacqui Smith happy for her legislation to be repealed to allow same-sex marriage; Muslim Council of Britain: Marriage equality for gays ‘unnecessary and unhelpful’; Polygamous Muslim unions on the rise in Britain
Reports include - C Church House Staff In Leap Of Faith; CMS Ireland Annual Project launched in Enniskillen; Rector’s marathon fund raiser; Daffodil Day Coffee Morning at Glenageary; Thanksgiving Service for Gift of Sport; Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland Quiet Day
Interview with Archbishop Rowan; speculation about his successor; comments from varied viewpoints in the Communion including the Church in Nigeria which is praying for an anti-gay successor, the Chicago Consultation and Reform; also, speculation that HM The Queen and the PM David Cameron will be on a collision course, and that Tory MPs are lobbying the PM. Sources also include Giles Fraser and George Pitcher.
A summary of the report was made public this morning at the Columba Centre in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, by Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and papal nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Charles Brown. Media review with web links follows.
The Gospel According to Christy Moore; RE–NEW mission in Muckamore; Vacancy in the Parish of Taney; Protection of minority faith schools is vital; Spring Fashion Show; Appointment to USPG Board; Coverage at odds with an enlightening event; Cardinal urges prayer for healing and renewal in church; Foreign loans keep Irish branch of Scientology afloat
Unveiling of Titanic Pall at Belfast Cathedral today and links to Titanic attractions and events
A review of the social, medical, ethical and educational issues in the news with links : Unearthing the mystery of what lies beneath the ancient Mound of Down; Credit unions boast 3m members; A&E units ‘being abused by drunks’; Plans 'reduced St Pat's trouble'
Church of England schools to be "rebranded"; New Canon Provost for Sunderland Minster; New Director of Church Society ; Singing from the wrong hymn sheet: The Church of England is out of tune with its flock
Media review - Widow of top Lib Dem quits party over gay marriage; Gay marriage won't win Cameron the next election - Norman Tebbit; Lib Dems block move to name the father on all birth certificates; Gay marriage plays havoc with titles
Review of church services, events and comment including - Armagh broadcast; St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin; Wreath and pilgrimage in Downatrick; Services in Irish; 300th anniversary of the foundation of St Patrick’s church, Slane ; Trim Patronal Festival; Artchbishop’s visit marks DUFEM links with Hong Kong; Bishop of Cork on Irish economy; Irish President's message; DUP Deputy on UK wide St Patrick’s holiday; and even sheep go green for St Patrick’s day!
A review of the social, medical, ethical and educational issues in the news with links
Tribute by The Archbishop of Armagh; Press Association interview with Archbishop of Canterbury; media review with links, and speculation on successor - Daily Telegraph commenting, “On the day of the Cheltenham Gold Cup it is not surprising that the public turned to the bookmakers for guidance on the next choice of Archbishop...”
Reports - A 'sham' consultation; The real bigots in the gay marriage row are the liberals
Summary includes - RTE Broadcasts from Armagh and Limerick; St Patrick's tide services; Obit - Canon R Chisholm; MU 125th Irish anniversary; US monks to reside in Stamullen; Brian Darcy to leave Enniskillen
Summary includes - travelers' rights; emigration; violence against women; medical care; student fees and rural economics; medics’ sex abuse may top Church scandals
Archbishop of York's RGS Lecture: If Good Men Do Nothing, Evil Will Prevail;
Official shrine of St Augustine; Christian Aid launches West Africa crisis appeal; Bellringing bonanza is planned for the Jubilee and Olympics
Church of England initial response to Government “consultation” on same-sex marriage; Evangelical Alliance - Gay marriage consultation 'makes a mockery of democracy'
The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, The archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, The leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, and The bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones. Ed Miliband, the Labour leader and David Cameron, the Prime Minister. Outline of procedures for appointment of an Archbishop of Canterbury
ACNS - The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has today revealed that he is to step down from his role at the end of the year.
Service in Clogher to mark 125th Anniversary of the Mothers’ Union; ’Great Big Photo Fest’ at St Columba’s Knock; Glenageary Parish Celebrates as New Hospital Wing Opens in Uganda.
Ireland’s human rights record under spotlight at the UN; DUP councillor confirms hidden C of I family GAA history; Cancer charity's new breast app; Patient dies unnoticed in Belfast A&E
David Cameron warned by MU Executive to 'urgently reconsider' plans to cut child benefits; European Court of Human Rights president dismisses British reform plans; There is no longer any possible reason to remain in the ECHR
The government’s long-promised equal civil marriage consultation has been published. A summary of comment in the media and on the web includes - The key proposals of the consultation; Home Secretary Theresa May: Government will introduce same sex marriage whatever the Church says; MPs 'will not be forced to support gay marriage’; Church leaders 'fan the flames of homophobia', says Equalities Minister; New poll shows Scotland opposed to ‘gay marriage’; Ten key moments in the history of marriage; A legal definition of marriage?; Gay marriage and the future of human sexuality
Reports include - Bishop Trevor Williams in RTE 'Would You Believe?' Special; Civic Reception in Dun Laoghaire for Dean–Elect of St Patrick’s; A C of I Parish's survey rejects same-sex unions
Reports include - Gay Christians - Irish Times comment; Northern Ireland school inspections plunged into chaos; 'Strip absent fathers' of benefits;
Most women in part time work happy with hours
Reports include - Pedal power at Lambeth; Vatican archbishop rebukes Blair over his support for gay marriage; Reorganisation of church on Isle of Man; Sing it with Passion; 5 Scottish dioceses against covenant
Summary includes reports on - Archbishop of Canterbury to address RC bishops; Bishops face losing their seats in the Lords after 700 years; Bible society is unable to hand out Bibles bearing the Olympics logo at London 2012; Churches demand UN action to halt Syria violence