Republican slogans daubed on C of I church; Bishop condemns threat against MP; Archbishop Of Dublin at memorial service in China; Presbyterian elder wrangle; Down rector appointed to Dublin parish; Cashel & Ossory institution; Book launch; Media review
Republican slogans daubed on C of I church
Antrim Times – A Church of Ireland church has been daubed with IRA slogans in a sectarian attack.
The republican slogans were painted onto the church and the church hall in Glenavy.
DUP MP for South Antrim William McCrea said it was an attack on the Protestant people in the village.
Minister John Rutter said the church hall was a mess: “All four walls of are covered in graffiti.
“Parishioners are dismayed, some are angry and some are disheartened as I am myself, particularly in view of the fact that we have done quite a bit in terms of community relations.
“In fact, we had Santa’s grotto in the hall on Wednesday night with folk from all over the village, all backgrounds coming together for a great evening.”
BBC News – A Church of Ireland church in County Antrim has been daubed with IRA slogans in a sectarian attack. The republican slogans were painted onto the church and the church hall in Glenavy, near Crumlin. Threats to two named individuals from the area were …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20641267
Bishop condemns threat against Naomi Long MP
A statement from the Bishop of Down & Dromore, The Rt Revd Harold Miller:
“It is deeply disturbing to learn of a death threat against the elected Member of Parliament for East Belfast, Naomi Long, and of attacks against other elected representatives, in the wake of reaction to the recent vote on the flying of the Union Flag at Belfast City Hall.
There can be no moral justification for such a threat or acts of violence in the name of ‘protest’, however strongly held one’s views are on any symbols of identity or allegiance.
To resort to intimidation and attack is an affront to the high values of democratic freedom within the United Kingdom and to its flag and offers nothing to our society in Northern Ireland.
My prayer is that across our communities we will reject what is wrong and all work constructively for the building up of the common good.”
Archbishop Of Dublin Attends Memorial Service For Bishop K H Ting In China
The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson attended a memorial service for Bishop K H Ting at Mochou Road Church in Nanjing, China, on Saturday December 8. He was representing the Church of Ireland and the Dublin University Far Eastern Mission (DUFEM), of which he is Honorary Patron.
K H Ting was an Anglican bishop prior to China’s Cultural Revolution and a pioneer in the country’s post–denominational era. He died on November 22 in Nanjing aged 97. In his messages of condolence to the general secretary of the Amity Foundation, Mr Qui Zhonghui; the Reverend Dr Lin Manhong, Dean of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary; and Elder Fu Xianwei of China Christian Council/National TSPM, the Archbishop described Bishop Ting as ‘an inspirational leader for Christian people across China and the world. His contributions to theology will continue to stimulate scholars for generations to come.’
He added that many members of the Dublin University Far Eastern Mission remembered with fondness Bishop Ting’s visit to Ireland and wished to add their sympathies to all Chinese people on the occasion of his death. Of Bishop Ting’s dedicated vision for and leadership of the Amity Foundation, Archbishop Jackson said he had transformed the lives of countless numbers of people adding that the work of Amity was greatly admired by people all over the world. ‘Bishop Ting’s commitment to global cooperation and ecumenical partnership has enabled Irish churches to support the work of Amity. This is a relationship that is greatly valued by Irish churches, as the presence of Irish delegates in Nanjing at the 2010 celebrations of Amity’s 25th anniversary testified.
The Dublin University Far Eastern Mission looks forward to continuing this special relationship into the future,’ the Archbishop said in his message to the general secretary of the foundation. The Amity Foundation is an independent Chinese voluntary organisation which was created in 1985 on the initiative of Chinese Christians to promote education, social services, health, and rural development from China’s coastal provinces in the east to the minority areas of the west.
Presbyterian elder wrangle
Newsletter – The congregation of a small rural Presbyterian Church in Co Armagh is angry after the local presbytery blocked its choice of a young family man as a member of its kirk session.
Members of Druminnis Presbyterian church, near Richhill, had chosen the man as an elder. However, the Armagh presbytery opposed the choice because his child had not been baptised into the Presbyterian Church, contrary to its rules pertaining to ministers and elders being appointed.
It is thought that members of the man’s family favour adult baptism, and – acting to the letter of the law in Presbyterianism – the presbytery blocked the choice.
The Rev Samuel Finlay, minister of the church, said he could not comment, but it is understood that the presbytery acted within its remit. Elders chosen in any of the Presbyterian churches throughout Ireland have to be sanctioned by their presbyteries, of which there are 19.
The young man in question does not want to discuss the issue – nor does he want to be named, Mr Finlay insisted. But it is known that some presbyteries have turned a blind eye, and Druminnis members are annoyed that they have been denied the services of a prospective member of session who could have contributed greatly to the life of the church within the session.
Druminnis is a thriving church by rural standards, having virtually doubled in size over the past few years from 50 families to almost 100, achieved by hard work on many fronts. And it was thought that the election of young blood in the session would keep the momentum going.
A spokesman for the Presbyterian Church said: “Through ordination as an elder of the Presbyterian Church, a person must be in agreement with the denomination’s doctrine. Infant baptism is one of the two sacraments of the Presbyterian Church and it would be expected that anyone seeking ordination would show their acceptance of this by their own practice.”
Down rector appointed to Dublin parish
The Revd Arthur Young, rector of Tullylish in the Diocese of Dromore, has been appointed the new of rector of Kill O’ The Grange Parish in the Diocese of Dublin.
Cashel & Ossory institution
In St Mary’s church, Bagenalstown on Friday evening the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will institute the Revd Kevin Ronné as rector of the Dunleckney group of parishes.
Book launch
On Tuesday evening, tomorrow, at 7.30pm in the Knox Hall, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, RTE sports presenter, Bill O’Herlihy will launch ‘Curious Cargo’ an account of travel as a passenger on freighters to the West Indies, South and Central America and the Mediterranean, by retired clergyman, Revd Patrick Semple.
MEDIA REVIEW
Man abused by priest gets payout from Catholic church in Down & Connor
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/man-abused-by-priest-gets-payout-from-church-16248052.html
Irish/US film on Church child abuse selected for Oscar shortlist
The film examines the story of four men who were abused as boys in a school for the deaf in the USA.
http://www.thejournal.ie/mea-maximum-culpa-706448-Dec2012/
New single NI education body (ESA) hit by fresh delay
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/new-single-education-body-esa-hit-by-fresh-delay-16244254.html
Cyber bullying in Irish schools challenged
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/500000-action-plan-to-tackle-bullying-216350.html
New primary school anti-racism initiative launched
The project was launched by Trinity College after it emerged children as young as 5 or 6 were being target by racist bullying
http://www.thejournal.ie/anti-racism-irish-schools-704832-Dec2012/