The Cardinal should be thinking about Covenants not worrying about civil marriages

Same-sex marriage would eliminate entirely in law the basic idea of a mother and a father for every child. It would create a society which deliberately chooses to deprive a child of either a mother or a father.—His Eminence Keith Cardinal O’Brien in The Sunday Telegraph As a gay man, and a Christian, it really disheartens me to read what His Eminence has written it seems that he has not actually put much thought into what he is writing, and is reacting rather angrily to proposals that could see an end to discrimination. As I understand it, none of the … Continue reading The Cardinal should be thinking about Covenants not worrying about civil marriages

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Ballymena Borough could show Bedford Borough and @davethemayor how to invest in the arts

Once more I am in Bedford. This is becoming quite a habit. As I was walking up Silver Street, I noticed a banner for the Bedfordshire Festival of Music Speech and Dance, mentioned it to Peter, and was told that he didn’t know where or even if the Festival’s Disabled classes were going to be held. You’ve guessed it, it’s the Civic Theatre closure by Dave the Mayor that has buggered it up for them. Where else will the organisers–presumably all volunteers like those who organise the Ballymena Festival (of which I am a member and assist the Membership Secretary, … Continue reading Ballymena Borough could show Bedford Borough and @davethemayor how to invest in the arts

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Interesting interests from Sinn Féin’s MLA for South Antrim

Martina Purdy of the BBC has produced some interesting registered activities for our MLAs up at Stormont. One that strikes me as a little strange is that Sinn Fein’s Mitchel McLaughlin declared his trip to Boston last November. He was part of a trade delegation from the north west and the cost was met by Golden Bridges (Boston-North West Ireland). Nothing altogether strange in that you say? Ah, well, now… Mr McLaughlin doesn’t represent a constituency in the North West despite being from there. Some wags have suggested that the times he spends most in his constituency of South Antrim … Continue reading Interesting interests from Sinn Féin’s MLA for South Antrim

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The core issue: will you kiss the leper clean?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

John L. Bell & Graham Maule

This verse was sung at our Covenant of Commitment in All Souls’ Church in Belfast by a large congregation back in May last year. I wonder what many people thought it meant. Continue reading “The core issue: will you kiss the leper clean?”

Jeff Dudgeon MBE, third from left

Jeff Dudgeon MBE

MBE
Medal of an MBE, Image via Wikipedia

Every year, at about this time, I read the list of people upon whom HM The Queen has been pleased to bestow honours. For many years, I have hoped to see the name of one particular person among them. This morning, that hope of mine has been realised.

Jeffrey Edward Anthony DUDGEON. For services to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Northern Ireland. Continue reading “Jeff Dudgeon MBE”