The Shroud of Turin Belfast republicans argue for pro-life stance
A talk entitled ‘Cherish All Children Equally’ taking place in Belfast will put to the audience that there is an onus on Republicans to take a pro-life stance.
Prominent republicans, Dr Anne McCloskey and Monica Digney will argue the Proclamation’s commitment to “cherish all the children of the nation equally” means Republicans should oppose abortion in all circumstances.
It will take place in St Oliver Plunkett Parish Hall, Glenveagh Drive, at August 8, 7pm.
Irish missionary making his mark
A programme which is fostering peace and reconciliation in the conflict-ridden areas of northern Kenya is to expand to a number of countries across Africa following its success.
In 2009, Fr Patrick Devine, founded the Shalom Centre for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, which has now trained over 9,600 leaders and village elders as peacemakers, resulting in the building of solar-powered inter-ethnic and inter-religious schools, medical centres and water projects.
Fr Devine, who has spent almost 30 years in Kenya and Tanzania, founded the organisation to address the conflict in the Ilemi Triangle, with the model now spreading to other African regions.
Shalom’s peaceful coexistence goal is simple: “To help the people become the architects of their own future.”04
Turin Shroud shows torture traces
An ancient linen cloth allegedly bearing the image of Jesus’ face show signs of blood from a victim of torture, scientists have revealed – supporting claims that it was the burial garment that Jesus was wrapped in following the crucifixion.
The Shroud of Turin, which has divided experts regarding its authenticity, was found to have contained ‘nanoparticles’ which Elvio Carlino, a researcher at the Institute of Crystallography in Bari, Italy says, “have recorded a scenario of great suffering, whose victim was wrapped up in the funeral cloth”.
The findings challenge claims that the shroud is a forgery, probably dating from the medieval period.
Jewish council defends Kevin Myers
The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has defended journalist Kevin Myers’ recent controversial column which was viewed by many people as anti-Semitic. The JRC said that branding Mr Myers “as either an anti-Semite or a Holocaust denier is an absolute distortion of the facts”.
The council, which speaks for the 2,557-strong Irish Jewish Community, said that “more than any other Irish journalist” Mr Myers had “written columns about the details of the Holocaust over the last three decades”, adding that his remarks were “a real error of judgement”.
The defence comes after Mr Myers suggested that BBC presenters Vanessa Feltz and Claudia Winkleman are well paid because they are Jewish, which subsequently lead to his sacking.
Siamsa founder honoured by UCC
Fr Pat Ahern, the founder of the Siamsa choir, has been honoured by the University College Cork. Fr Ahern, 85, established the choir back in 1957 and it became part of Ireland’s National Folk Theatre in Tralee Town Park. He has studied organ and piano in Maynooth, and continued his musical studies in UCC, graduating with a BMus in 1962. Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin, Head/Ceann of Roinn na Nua Ghaeilge in UCC refers to Ahern as someone who embodies the spirit of lán de cheol, literally ‘full of music’.