Accountability

The House of Commons Select Committees in London sitting in connection with police, News of the World, etc make interesting viewing and reading afterwards. Whatever a person's views on all that has happened and is happening in this matter, there is a sense that people are being called to account for their action or inaction. The contrast to this way of proceeding with the church response to the recent Cloyne Report is striking. Are the ecclesiastical structures not there to respond to the urgent need for accountability or are they being ignored?                                               A T

July Celebrations

14th July is Bastille Day in France with bands and parades. This commemorates the storming  of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1790 leading to the establishment of a Republic. There will be huge crowds in Paris and the Tour de France will be an added attraction.
12th July in Belfast and other places is high on French news bulletins this morning for less worthy reasons. Please God people of goodwill will continue seeking ways to peace togther.                 A T

Papal Knight

In 1998 Rupert Murdoch, in the news at present, was made a Knight of St Gregory the Great, a Papal Award. It is reported that among other donations, he contributed $10 million for the construction of Los Angeles Cathedral prior to this award being made. Interesting!                                    A T

News of The World RIP

News of the World newspaper departs. When will its replacement Sunday newspaper by the same publishing group be launched? Maybe sooner rather than later. It will be interesting to see what happens.
A T

Unacceptable Intrusiveness

The current revelations about the lengths to which some newspapers will go to for a story beggar belief. This intrusion is wrong. It has an extra dimension when murdered children and their families are concerned. The outcome of this 'phone hacking' story will only be known in the future. Media revelations about instutional criminal activity and moral failings have served society well in recent years. Now the same rigorous standards need to be applied to media as the spotlight is shone into their workings. Certain media people and groups seem prepared to do anything, no matter how intrusive or insensitive, to get their story. The withdrawal of newspaper advertising by some companies is an encourgaing sign.   A T

A Worrying Time

As court cases relating to last year's rioting in Ardoyne are in the news yesterday and today, another marching season is reaching its high point. My hope and prayer is that people can find a way to meet on the level of humanity and find a way to dispel hatred, avoid harm and hurt. I am not so certain that this will happen, but it has to be the hope for all and an urgent work that remains to be done. When I sought to find a middle ground in a Family Centre that was nearing the final planning stage to be shared across the historical divide, people in various parts of the world contacted me to say it was a worthy project. My transfer out of Belfast put pay to that. I am still convinced that peace in the Summer will not be achieved until normal living for all happens in the Autumn, the Winter and the Spring as well. How I would love to be still able to offer light and hope to good people on each side of a hurting but great community quite capable of being torn apart again this year. Please God the peace may yet be won for all. A.T.