One of the main groups in the Church of Ireland’s debate about whether it should accept clergy in same-sex partnerships has received thousand of pounds of public funds according to a report in the News Letter.
Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times on Saturday last reported that the banning of an openly gay man from volunteering for work with youth groups at Methodist and Church of Ireland churches in Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh, has been criticised by the Church of Ireland pro-gay Changing Attitude Ireland group.
The Irish media is a “very hostile environment” for people of faith, one of Ireland’s most influential editors has warned.
An Anglican establishment?
Services and events this week
The diocese of Down and Dromore has said farewell to the Archdeacon of Dromore, The Ven John Scott, and his wife Laura at a light lunch in Church House following the Council meeting on Thursday last, 22nd September.
The Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell, was consecrated in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen yesterday Friday 23rd September 2011. The preacher was The Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Consecration of Bishop of Clogher, Stoneyford double, Ministry Fair, Baptism Festival, Hall re-dedicated for community use, College open day, Limerick music, Christ Church Past Choristers
Five members of the Irish Episcopal Conference led by Cardinal Sean Brady, and five Bishops of the Church of Ireland led by Archbishop Michael Jackson spent the 14th September in prayer, fellowship and discussion.
A trendy nativity scene will be used in a poster aimed at reminding Brits that Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas.
Recalling a prophetic sermon preached in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, earlier this year. See Blog this site.
In a document issued to the Church Unity Committee of the General Synod, the Bishop of Meath and Rev Niall Sloane shared their impressions of The Religious Society of Friends Yearly Meeting for Ireland.
Next year is the 350th anniversary of The Book of Common Prayer. A travelling exhibition is being created to bring the BCP 350th message to a wide audience. Several cathedrals and landmark libraries have agreed to display it.
The Evangelical Alliance has added its voice to concerns over the UK Government’s plans to redefine marriage.
A new Anglican communion resource relates to The Fifth Mark of Mission – “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth”, which is sometimes seen as the neglected Mark across the Communion. Lent next year offers another opportunity to redress this, with the help of a course coming out of the work of the Bible in the Life of the Church project.
The old remark about city buses may also be applied to books by bishops - wait a long time for one, and behold two come along almost together. Books by the Bishop of Kilmore and the Bishop of Connor are being launched later this month in The Good Book Shop, Belfast.
In a message sent to mark the one-year anniversary of Pope Benedict's visit to England and Scotland, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, looked back with "abiding gratitude" on a visit that was "a great gift for all the Christian communities of the United Kingdom, affirming their role in society and strengthening their resolve to serve the communities of this country."
Roger Helmer MEP has stated why he will not support the UK government’s proposals.
Street Pastors has formally launched in Westminster to provide support to young and vulnerable people out and about in London's West End.
Ken E. Norian, a member of the US Episcopal church has been named as minister general of the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis, an international Anglican/Episcopal order that accepts men and women, clergy or lay, who are called to a lifelong discipline and vow.
Top scientists and educationalists, including Sir David Attenborough and a leading science educator who is an Anglican priest, together with five national organisations, have put their names to a statement calling for the teaching of evolutionary science, not creationism, in school science classrooms.
In a statement made by the Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev Alan Harper, to the Standing Committee of the General Synod, he requests that general discussion of this matter be curtailed to give time for the House of Bishops to meet, “to begin their discussions and suggest a framework for future discussion at representative level.” Full text of statement follows.
Excerpts from the Bishop of Kilmore's new book; the Conservative MEP who will not support the government's policy on same-sex marriages. Today: CMS response to Pakistan floods, Bible month in Argentina - See Worldwide. Church Music lovers - see today's postings in Music.
Writing in today’s Daily Telegraph, Christine Odone upholds the witness of Anglicans in the media such as Jeremy Vine, Ian Hislop and Bettany Hughes. She comments that Frank Skinner is in good company with his attack on the atheist establishment in his recent discussion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. BBC religion comes in for heavyweight criticism.
The Archbishop of York and a number of bishops are leading the way in inviting millions back to church this weekend for Back to Church Sunday 2011 (25th September). In addition to meeting people where they’re at, at a range of public events (from Sunday car boot sales to jazz nights), they are encouraging people to send friends invitations either in person or using social media.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted the Church of England is struggling to counter the image of atheism as "the new cool thing".
Christian leaders from all over the British Isles gathered at Wembley Stadium for a day of prayer and vision setting.
The Archbishop of Canterbury met comedian, writer and broadcaster Frank Skinner "In Conversation" at Canterbury Cathedral on Friday evening.
A Roman Catholic priest is claiming that the "wives and mothers of Ireland" are as culpable as the Church hierarchy in the cover-up of sexual abuse.
There was extensive newspaper reporting prior to the Lib Dem conference on Saturday past that the UK government will begin a formal consultation on equal civil marriage for same-sex couples with a view to making the necessary legislative changes before the next general election. Links to the main UK newspaper reports follow.