Scottish Irish Conversations on Sectarianism–New Post on Slugger O’Toole

imageI have a new post on the Slugger O’Toole blog about the panel discussion I participated in at the Edinburgh Festival of Politics: Scottish Irish Conversations on Sectarianism. … Read more...

Doing Community Theology – Review of new publication by McMaster and Higgins

WP_20120614 1It was with great appreciation, and some sadness, that the Irish School of Ecumenics marked the winding down of its Education for Reconciliation (EFR) programme in Belfast last month. EFR, an adult/continuing education programme, ran for 16 years and catered … Read more...

Protestant-Catholic Conflict: Debating Siobhan Garrigan & Stranmillis Conference 5-7 September

image1,238802,enLast year, I reviewed Siobhan Garrigan’s book, The Real Peace Process: Worship, Politics and the End of Sectarianism. In a largely enthusiastic review, I concluded:

Garrigan ends on a positive note, urging Christians on this island to begin ‘the

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Reflecting on the Day of Reflection – Paul Gallagher of VAST on Sowing Seeds and New Growth

imageIn my last post about marking the Day of Reflection on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland, I said that I would be attending an event to mark the day at St Oliver Plunkett’s Church in Lenadoon.

The evening … Read more...

Marking the Day of Reflection on the Conflict in and about Northern Ireland

WP_000030Today is Healing Through Remembering’s (HTR) Day of Reflection on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. Now in its sixth year, HTR describes the day as:

‘A Day to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict,

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Johnston McMaster’s Overcoming Violence–Book Review: New Post on Slugger O’Toole

I’ve written a review of Johnston McMaster’s latest book, Overcoming Violence: Dismantling an Irish History and Theology – An Alternative Vision (Columba, 2012), on the Slugger O’Toole blog. … Read more...

Reconciliation vs. Peaceful Co-Existence–A Vision for Northern Ireland?

imageA couple of weeks ago, I was ‘In Conversation’ during the evening service at Fitzroy Presbyterian in Belfast. It was a talk-show type event, where Rev Steve Stockman quizzed me about my background, my work at the Irish School of Read more...

Harold Good on Johnston McMaster’s Overcoming Violence

image“This book is a must for the desk of every pastor, priest and teacher. It ought to be available to every serious student of religion and ethics. … [It is a] manual for those of us who wish to overcome Read more...

I’m ‘In Conversation’ at Fitzroy Presbyterian, Sunday 6 May, 7 pm

imageThis Sunday evening I’ll be ‘In Conversation’ during the 7 pm service at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast.

I’m not entirely sure what Rev Steve Stockman will be asking me about, but I expect topics to include my latest book … Read more...

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

imageThere’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 … Read more...

Building Peace through the Arts: Last Post on the ‘Picking up the Pieces’ Series

imageWhat do people need to help them process the trauma they have experienced during conflict? The answer to that question will not be the same for everyone. Over the last few weeks, I’ve highlighted the insights from the RTE Radio Read more...