Church of Ireland Bishops Speak Out On Proposed Education Cuts In Republic Of Ireland; Quake survivor praises Ulster; Have eight provinces adopted the Covenant?; SVP told don’t feed destitute migrants so they’ll ‘go home’; Vatican sees Ireland as a disgraced and busted flush; C of I – Sober Reflections’ Ulster Solemn League & Covenant Conference; Stainer’s Crucifixion in Enniskillen Cathedral
Church of Ireland Bishops Speak Out On Proposed Education Cuts In Republic Of Ireland
Nine Church of Ireland bishops who act as patrons of Church of Ireland Schools in the Republic of Ireland are today voicing their strong concerns about the prospect of cuts, which could have a particularly dramatic negative impact on small Church of Ireland schools across the country, particularly those in rural areas which cannot be amalgamated. The bishops state ten points of principle in the context of current debate. In their statement, the bishops say: ‘The cuts have … a disproportionate impact on the schools of which we are patrons … given the repeated commitment of successive governments to pluralism in the area of education … We believe that faith–based schools have a right to expect genuine governmental support.’ They go on to conclude: ‘While we wish to be regarded as realistic and creative in our contribution to present discussions, we would also emphasise that no single issue has in recent years caused such a degree of anxiety amongst our communities as this one. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a test case of the nation’s commitment to its citizens who are members of a religious minority and who for generations have sought to support and enrich the life of the state in an atmosphere of pluralism and tolerance.’
While the patrons recognise that in the current situation many of the challenges facing schools must be addressed on a case by case basis, they nevertheless felt a desire to articulate certain common principles while awaiting the appearance of the Value for Money Review of small schools, which they expect will play an important role in the debate.
Full text of statement at :
http://ireland.anglican.org/news/4017
Quake survivor praises Ulster
News Letter – A survivor of the Haiti earthquake has met some of the Ulster fundraisers who helped prevent an even greater disaster in his country. Christian Aid manager Prospery Raymond – who was trapped for several hours in the rubble when the charity’s Port-au-Prince office collapsed – visited Belfast last week and praised everyone who has helped to rebuild thousands of devastated lives. Over 200,000 people died when the Caribbean country was rocked by the massive earthquake on January 12, 2010. The 7.0 magnitude quake wiped out much of the capital’s infrastructure leading to widespread homelessness, hunger and disease.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/quake-survivor-praises-ulster-1-3658156
Have eight provinces adopted the Covenant?
Sion Sarimento writes on the Thinking Anglicans site – The Secretary General writes: “I have received notifications from eight Provinces…” but this is not the whole story.
The promoters of the document have insisted that it has to be adopted exactly as it stands, and that adopting it only in part, or with amendments to the text, is not an option.
Item: he lists Southern Africa, which has not yet completed its process.
Item: he lists Ireland, which insisted that it had “subscribed” and evidently thought that it was important not to have used the word “adopted”. This may be an Irish subtlety too far for the rest of us to understand.
Item: he lists South East Asia which can only be said to have adopted the existing text by the application of Humpty Dumpty logic. Here is the link to the full text of their Preamble to the Letter of Accession.
So I would say that at the present time the number of adopters is really only six (including Ireland).
SVP told don’t feed destitute migrants so they’ll ‘go home’
The St Vincent de Paul is claiming it has been told not to feed or house destitute migrants from eastern European countries and they will “go home”.
Southern regional president of the SVP Brendan Dempsey said he believes there is an unwritten policy to urge homeless EU migrant workers to go back to their homelands.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/svp-told-dont-feed-destitute-migrants-so-theyll-go-home-188347.html
Colum Kenny: The Vatican sees Ireland as a disgraced and busted flush
Irish Independent – Colum Kenny writes – ‘This is an Irish Reformation — Catholics turning quietly Protestant, but without necessarily changing church. ‘Today only a few dozen men are preparing for the priesthood in Ireland. Yet the Vatican’s summary of reports on the Irish church written for Rome by cardinals and other senior church figures who visited this island at the request of Pope Benedict, …
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/colum-kenny/colum-kenny-the-vatican-sees-ireland-as-a-disgraced-and-busted-flush-3060509.html
C of I – Sober Reflections’ Ulster Solemn League & Covenant Conference
In the first of a series of events being planned by the Church of Ireland to mark the ‘Decade of Centenaries’, when significant events in Irish history will be commemorated during the period 1912-1922, a one-day conference was held on Saturday 24 March focusing on the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant of 1912. It came about at the request of the Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church to assist in thinking through how these centenaries might be addressed historically, ethically and responsibly by 21st-century Christians.
Taking place at Moira Parish Centre, and attended by around 100 people, the conference, entitled ‘Sober Reflections’, looked at the historical detail and context of the Covenant and also sought to reflect theologically on the how the Covenant might be addressed by the contemporary Christian conscience.
The Conference was chaired by Professor David Hayton of Queen’s University, Belfast and introduced by Bishop John McDowell, chair of the working group which organised the day.
The first keynote speaker was Professor Paul Bew (Lord Bew of Donegore) (right) who give an overview of historical forces which gave rise to the Covenant and its significance to the political and social development of Ireland, north and south.
Professor Bew was followed by Dr Andrew Scholes who presented a paper which examined the particular role and reaction of the Church of Ireland in the making and signing of the Covenant and during the Home Rule crisis.
In the afternoon session, Professor Andrew Pierce, Assistant Professor of Inter-cultural Theology at the Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE), considered theological methods of addressing a divisive historical event in a more ecumenical age, speaking of repentance and witness by the Church and individuals.
Dr Johnston McMaster, Co-ordinator of the Education for Reconciliation programme of the ISE based in Northern Ireland spoke about his recent work of theological reflection on The Covenant and of how modern Christians might engage positively with it. This was followed by a plenary discussion with contributions from the floor, before the close of the event by Professor Hayton.
Performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion in Enniskillen Cathedral
On Palm Sunday, 1st April 2012, Armagh City Choir will present The Crucifixion by John Stainer in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen from 7.00–8.15pm. The choir will be under the direction of Adrian Brunton, and will be accompanied by organist Nigel McClintock. Soloists include Conor Breen (Tenor), Patrick Sweeney (Baritone) and Brian McAlea (Bass). The event will mark the beginning of a number of services in the Cathedral during Holy Week and Easter, and proceeds from the performance will be in aid of Horizon West Children’s Hospice (Killadeas).