In yesterday’s post about the ‘Picking up the Pieces’ documentary on RTE Radio, I noted that the role of former prisoners, or ex-combatants, in conflict transformation is controversial for some people: This can be a controversial topic, as some doubt the sincerity of ex-prisoners, others still blame them (and them alone) for the conflict, and [...]
Archive | Churches & Reconciliation RSS feed for this section
Is there Peace in the Air? Radio Series on Northern Ireland’s Post Violence Transition Begins Saturday
A new radio series on the challenge of rebuilding community relationships in Northern Ireland begins tomorrow, Saturday 3 March, at 7.30 pm on RTE One. Titled ‘Picking up the Pieces, the six-week series is researched and presented by Barbara Walshe, a graduate of my School’s Master’s in Reconciliation Studies. Tomorrow night’s programme will explore the [...]
Fr Brian Lennon on Repentance & Reform in the Irish Catholic Church
It’s been some time since I’ve blogged about the crisis in the Irish Catholic Church. In fact, the last time was way back on 28 October, when I offered some reflections on ‘The End of Irish Catholicism’ based on a paper I’d presented at the Queen’s University Religious Studies Forum. It gets to the point [...]
How We Remember: Drama, Discussion & Everyday Objects Exhibition–New Post on Slugger O’Toole
I have a new post on the Slugger O’Toole blog on ‘How We Remember: Drama, Discussion & Everyday Objects Exhibition.’ It outlines various events dealing with Northern Ireland’s past that are happening over the next few months.
Visioning Ecumenism Goes Online–Course by Johnston McMaster & Cathy Higgins
My school, the Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE), has gone online with two new interactive modules developed by Dr Johnston McMaster and Dr Cathy Higgins. The modules have been designed in conjunction with the School’s IRCHSS-funded Visioning 21st Century Ecumenism research project, and are called ‘The Bible in Dispute’ and ‘Where in the World is [...]
Lesley Carroll and Geraldine Smyth – Glimpses of God: Book Review
Anyone seeking reflective reading for Lent need look no further than the recent book by Lesley Carroll and Geraldine Smyth, Glimpses of God: Reflections for Days and Seasons (Veritas 2010). The book is a collection of 54 of Carroll and Smyth’s contributions to BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Thought for the Day’ – short meditations in which [...]
What Next for Ecumenism? John Gibaut on BEM, Ecclesiology, & the Future of Ecumenism
Last month, as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, John Gibaut, Director of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Geneva, spoke at the Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin, on the work of “Faith and Order.” Gibaut evaluated the impact of the WCC’s 1982 document, [...]
Peace Jam in Enniskillen 25 February: Featuring Stephen Travers, Brian D’Arcy & Local Musicians
The Fermanagh Churches Forum (FCF) is organising what looks to be an inspiring and enjoyable event – a ‘Peace Jam’ featuring a talk by Stephen Travers (bass player with the legendary Miami Showband), introductions by Fr. Brian D’Arcy, a buffet supper, and music by local artists. The Peace Jam happens on Saturday 25 February from [...]
Denis Bradley – Has Religious Ecumenism ‘Run into the Sand?’
In his column in Friday’s Irish News, Denis Bradley proclaims that ‘religious ecumenism has run into the sand.’ He contrasts the failure of religious ecumenism to what he sees as the thriving of so-called ‘political ecumenism’ in Northern Ireland, embodied by Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson watching a GAA match together. I would take issue [...]
Patrick Mitchel on Evangelical Journeys: Dublin Launch of New Book
My recent book, co-authored with Claire Mitchell, Evangelical Journeys: Choice and Change in a Northern Irish Religious Subculture (UCD Press 2011), was launched last night at the Irish School of Ecumenics, TCD, in Dublin. This follows the Belfast launch of the book late last year. Patrick Mitchel, Director of Studies and lecturer in theology at [...]
About me
Welcome to Building a Church Without Walls, a website for people who are excited about how Christianity is developing in the 21st Century. I am a Lecturer and Coordinator of the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Studies Programme at Trinity College Dublin at Belfast (the Irish School of Ecumenics).
Please note this is my personal site. All views are my own and are not representative of TCD.
