Photo – Teaming up: Micheál Martin (left) and Leo Varadkar will swap roles at the head of the new government according to the Irish Independent. Link below.
Thursday evening summary
by Alistair Bushe, Editor of the Belfast News Letter
There was more sobering news on Thursday with confirmation that 18 more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland.
Statistics from the Public Health Agency show that there have been 158 confirmed deaths from Covid-19 in the Province.
While fighting this virus and ensuring everyone is kept safe is a huge priority, there was also a stark warning from Roisin Foster, Cancer Focus NI chief executive. She warned that cancer diagnoses for people in Northern Ireland may be delayed because of the battle with coronavirus.
Routine screening has already been postponed here to allow medics to focus on tackling the infection and there could be further problems in the future.
Throughout all of this, public affection for the work of the NHS continues. The Orange Order is appealing to bandsmen and women across Northern Ireland to add their own musical skills to the weekly appreciation of the NHS on Thursday at 8pm
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‘Historic coalition’ – read the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policy document in full
Irish Independent
[[] https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/historic-coalition-read-the-fianna-fail-and-fine-gael-policy-document-in-full-39130325.html ]
Coronavirus: Presbyterian Church cancels general assembly for first time in 180 years
Belfast Newsletter
Speaking about the decisions, Rev Trevor Gribben, clerk of the general assembly and general secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, said:
[[] https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/uk-news/coronavirus-presbyterian-church-cancels-general-assembly-first-time-180-years-2539495 ]…
More people shunning traditional church wedding, latest figures show
ChristianToday
Some 40,000 married in Church of England churches in 2017 and just under 6,000 in Roman Catholic churches. Religious ceremonies overall …
[[] https://www.christiantoday.com/article/more.people.shunning.traditional.church.wedding.latest.figures.showexecute1/134697.htm ]
54.7 million people read scripture over Easter on Bible app
More people read and shared Bible verses this Easter from YouVersion’s Bible app than ever before.
Fiona Mountford on the unexpected joy of going to church online
Spectator
[ https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-unexpected-joy-of-going-to-church-online ]
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