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The Catholic Church in Ireland in Transition – Reflections for Zimbabwe, Published in Mukai/Vukani

I have had an article published in the latest issue of Mukai/Vukani (meaning “Wake up!”), the Jesuit Journal for Theological Reflection in Zimbabwe. This edition (volume 64, April 2013) discusses “The Church in Transition.” With kind permission from the editor, Gift Mambipiri, I’ve reproduced the article below. The Catholic Church in Ireland in Transition – [...]

Can I Stay in the Catholic Church? by Brian Lennon–Book Review

I’ve reviewed Brian Lennon SJ’s latest book, Can I Stay in the Catholic Church?, on the Slugger O’Toole blog.

Trevor Morrow on the Ulster Covenant, the Reformed Churches, and Irish Identity (at the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism)

I recently blogged about a colloquium at the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism and the Kennedy Institute for Conflict Resolution at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth. The colloquium helped to mark the visit of Rev Dr Roy Patton, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, to the University. It was [...]

An Independent People Part II – What have the Ulster Presbyterians Ever Done for America?

The BBC’s whirlwind tour through Presbyterian history in Ireland continued last night with the second instalment of “An Independent People: The Story of Ulster’s Presbyterians.” The programme excelled in introducing viewers to men – often largely forgotten today – whose thoughts and actions have shaped the modern world. Hands up any of you who, before [...]

The Churches and Reconciliation in Ireland: Opportunities (at the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism)

Yesterday I blogged about the first part of a paper I presented at a colloquium organised by the new Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism (CSIP) and the Kennedy Institute on Conflict Resolution at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth. I spoke on ‘The Churches and Reconciliation in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities,’ in [...]

Building Peace in Northern Ireland by Maria Power – Book Review in Irish Literary Supplement

My review of Maria Power’s Building Peace in Northern Ireland (Liverpool University Press, 2011) has been published in the latest edition of the Irish Literary Supplement (Spring 2013, V32, N2, pp. 18-19) under the headline, “Peace in the Valley.” While encouraging you to get out and get your hands on a copy of the Irish [...]

Ireland’s Troublesome Priests: Promoting ‘Evolution’ in the Irish Catholic Church?

Last month (23 September 2012) BBC Radio 4 aired a documentary titled ‘Ireland’s Troublesome Priests,’ which seemingly set out to focus on the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP)and the members of it who have been censored by the Vatican for their views on issues ranging from women priests, the role of the laity, clerical celibacy, [...]

David Trimble and Michael McDowell on the Ulster Covenant–New Post on Slugger O’Toole

I have a new post on Slugger O’Toole, on David Trimble and Michael McDowell’s perspectives on the Ulster Covenant. It is based on Saturday’s Institute for British Irish Studies at UCD/Irish Association conference at the Linenhall Library in Belfast.

Scottish-Irish Conversation on Sectarianism, Friday 17 August

I’ll be taking part in a panel discussion on Scottish and Irish sectarianism on Friday 17 August at the Edinburgh Politics Festival. The discussion is set for 10-11 am in Committee Room 1 of the Scottish Parliament. The panel includes: Chair: Professor Cairns Craig OBE FBA FRSE, Glucksman Professor of Irish and Scottish Studies, University [...]

Who Fears to Speak of Easter Week? Jan Robert Schulz on the Easter Rising in Northern Irish History Textbooks

There’s a tired old joke about air passengers arriving in Northern Ireland. The pilot announces: ‘Welcome to Belfast, set your clocks back 400 years.’ The implication is of course that Northern Ireland is living in its past, trapped by its history. Indeed, the past is all around the streets of Northern Ireland, from the murals [...]

Picking up the Pieces in the Border Counties

The fifth programme in RTE Radio One’s ‘Picking up the Pieces’ series features peacebuilding in the border counties of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, focusing on the work done among republican ex-prisoners and the Protestant minority in the Republic. The border counties are often neglected in analyses of the peace process, which seem [...]