Instead of worrying about a flag that’s forty years out of date – perhaps we should look and think outside the box for a new one for Northern Ireland. Continue reading Time for a flag for Northern Ireland? We’ve been without for forty years.
Another week has passed and news has reached me of another community hall in Northern Ireland being targeted and burnt. Fortunately, in this case, it seems that it has not been gutted. But a lot of damage has been done. The hall in question is a Masonic hall in Lisburn. A fuller report can be found courtesy of the Ulster Star. As the Ulster Star article suggests, the hall may have been mistaken for an Orange Hall—but that is no excuse. Burning each other’s halls is not going to help solve our community’s difficulties. Sitting down and talking about them does. The … Continue reading Another hall in the community is targeted – this really must stop.
I have just watched some footage which it is said is from the Twelfth of July parade in Belfast yesterday. It is clearly outside St Patrick’s Church in Donegall Street. The marching could be said to be dignified, and it … Continue reading Orangefest gone wrong…
With Belfast City Council voting in favour of equal rights with regard to marriage in the city of Belfast, it was refreshing to read a statement from the Chaplain of Pembroke College, Oxford: Civil Partnerships and Pembroke College Chapel The Governing Body and chaplain are dedicated to the mission of the chapel as fully including the whole college community, past and present, staff, students, and fellows. Same sex couples are most welcome to approach the chaplain with regard to preparation, celebration, and prayers when entering a Civil Partnership and for continuing support and counsel within their relationship as any other … Continue reading Marriage equality – at step in the right direction in Oxford
Last night, Belfast City Council became the first council in Northern Ireland to support marriage equality. The Council voted in favour of the motion [proposed by Sinn Féin, supported by SDLP councillors and one Alliance councillor1]: This Council supports the same rights and entitlements to civil marriages for all citizens of Belfast regardless of race, religion or sexuality. However, as my friend Stephen Glenn so rightly says, that the Council voted in favour “isn’t all the story”. For there were no votes against, not because all councillors were in favour of the motion but, rather, because the Unionist councillors left … Continue reading Marriage equality: DUP doesn’t understand devolution…
The Northern Ireland gay blood ban looks set to continue with the news from the DUP’s health minister, Edwin Poots MLA, that he has received some new research strengthening his position. As reported on the BBC, the minister says he … Continue reading Continuing NI gay blood ban continues the prejudice
I’ve not been that bothered about the Olympic Flame arriving until this evening. Then, sitting at Andrew’s desk (mine is a bit buried at the moment) in our library, I heard the sound of an aeroplane overhead, looked out the window, grabbed the iPhone and took about 14 seconds of video of Firefly flying overhead. Firefly is the plane that is being used to transport the Olympic Flame when it cannot go by other means. Being me, I tweeted about it – and it was picked up by the BBC News Live Feed… Seeing the fuss being made of this … Continue reading 2012 flame brings back memories of another…
It’s not every day that you see a burning bush on your way home from church, but that is exactly what happened to Andrew and me this evening. Not for us any voice to take our shoes off as we were standing on holy ground, nor did this appear to be the Holy Spirit at work on the Feast of Pentecost – no this burning bush had a much simpler explanation. You see, Belfast has been suffering enjoying somewhat of a heat wave in recent days. This means that many people have been enjoying barbecues. Now, what do you do … Continue reading Just after Evensong, a burning bush appeared…
Michael gives the facts and figures from the debate on Human Sexuality at the Church of Ireland’s General Synod in Dublin. Continue reading They voted, but what is the point of it all? The figures from General Synod 2012 @churchofireland #gscoi
Finally an answer to my prayers: a printer that prints about the right size to slip notes and reminders into my paper diary/notebooks. Let’s hope that it won’t be too long before I can have one in reality. Continue reading print outs that fit into paper notebooks… finally the answer!
Gyronny Herald 