Tag Archives: referendum

NEW DAYS COMING OR MORE FALSE DAWNS?

  By admin | 17 May 2019 - 12:55 pm |
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There have been at least three very significant events in the past month that, taken together, may - repeat may - prove to be a watershed in the current quagmire that is politics in Northern Ireland.  

The first was the brutal murder of Lyra McKee in Derry on 29 April that sent shock waves around the world, as well as bringing untold grief to her family and friends.  Her funeral service in St Anne’s Cathedral brought that electrifying moment when Fr Martin Magill called out our politicians for their failure to do government together (and did so, quite explicitly, in God’s name).  That call helped bring about the new talks currently underway to try to get devolution working again.  Continue reading →

PS: THE EU REFERENDUM – ONE YEAR LATER

  By admin | 17 June 2017 - 1:02 pm |
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Next week will see the first anniversary of the UK Referendum and our collective national decision to leave the EU. The vote was finely balanced with Leave edging Remain by a margin of just 52 to 48. Brexit remains a source of formidable passion on both sides of its divide and will dominate political life in the UK for many years to come. Continue reading →

A Soul for the Union?

  By admin | 16 June 2016 - 2:36 pm |
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A Soul for the Union?

Faith-based perspectives on the EU Referendum

An event held on Monday 13 June 2016 to help people of faith and others explore some of the issues to be considered in a deciding on how best to vote in the forth-coming referendum. To download a copy of Ben Ryan's talk click here. To listen to a recording click here. To read Evangelical Alliance's summary of the event click here.

Keynote speaker – Ben Ryan (Theos Think Tank)

Ben first joined the Theos think tank as an intern in September 2013 and graduated to a researcher in early 2014. He read Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Cambridge and also has an MSc in European Studies from the LSE European Institute. He is the author of the Theos reports A Very Modern Ministry: Chaplaincy in the UK and A Soul for the Union.

Responders giving a N.I. perspective:

Colin Harvey (Professor of Human Rights Law, Queen’s University Belfast) responded with reference to Human Rights and Constitutional issues. Esmond Birnie (Chief Economist PWC in Scotland and N.I.) responded with reference to Economic and Financial issues. The Referendum is a democratic opportunity; the outcome will influence our relationships for years to come. Politics is inherently spiritual since God gives us the responsibility to govern within His sovereignty. This evening explored issues of sovereignty and subsidiarity, business and bureaucracy, security, migrants and other national and local challenges we all face in making a decision on how to vote. It encouraged and helped in making an informed response and not just one that thinks of self-interest!

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