I took part in a service at Clonard Monastery last night, marking the tenth anniversary of Fr Gerry Reynolds’ death (30 Nov). I spoke from my experiencing of writing Gerry’s biography, Unity Pilgrim.
You can read my remarks below:
Category: Irish Catholic Church
Are you Catholic and Evangelical? Take the Survey Now!
Catholics who identify as ‘evangelical’ are being asked to take part in new research at Queen’s University Belfast.
According to a 2023 survey conducted by the polling organisation Savanta ComRes on behalf of the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland, 38% … Read more...
Thought for the Day – The Quiet Revival?
I contributed the Thought for the Day on Radio Ulster on Monday 28 July.
You can listen here, or read the text below.
The Quiet Revival?
Have you heard about the Quiet Revival?
Recent headlines suggest that churchgoing in … Read more...
Thought for the Day – The Great Pardon
I contributed the Thought for the Day on Radio Ulster on Monday 21 July.
You can listen here, or read the text below.
The Grande Troménie
“Desertum in Oceano”.
That may sound like a spell from Harry Potter. But … Read more...
My Review of Tom Inglis’ Unbecoming Catholic
My review of Tom Inglis’ book Unbecoming Catholic was published in the Irish Times on 31 May.
Read it here, or below:
A Sweet Kind of Freedom
In this not-quite memoir, Tom Inglis meditates on his journey away from the … Read more...
“I’ve been Thinking …” about Fr Gerry Reynolds on his Ninth Anniversary
Today is the ninth anniversary of the death of Fr Gerry Reynolds. While my biography of Fr Gerry was published as Unity Pilgrim: The Life of Fr Gerry Reynolds CSsR in 2019, other stories of his witness continue to emerge.… Read more...
The Churches & Peacebuilding: Address at ‘The Primacy of Peace’ Conference
I delivered an address on ‘The Churches and Peacebuilding – Before and After the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement’ at the ‘Primacy of Peace’ conference on 24 October 2023 at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh.
The purpose of the conference was to promote … Read more...
The Churches & Peacebuilding: Past, Present and Future
On Tuesday 18 April I participated in a panel on ‘Peacebuilding’ at Queen’s University’s Agreement25 Conference.
You can read the full text of my remarks here.
Image from Clonard Reconciliation ministry, including Fr Alec Reid and Fr Gerry Reynolds… Read more...
Reconciliation Fund Marks Publication of Considering Grace: Presbyterians and the Troubles
Last week, the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs hosted a special event in Iveagh House, Dublin, to mark the publication of my book, co-authored with Jamie Yohanis, Considering Grace: Presbyterians and the Troubles.
Religion & the University Experience in Britain and Northern Ireland with Mathew Guest and me …
On Thursday 9 March the Queen’s Religious Studies Forum hosted an event on Religion and the University Experience: Perspectives from Britain & Northern Ireland, featuring Prof Mathew Guest (Durham) and me.
You can listen to the audio of our contributions … Read more...
New Post on Slugger: Review of ‘Beauty through Broken Windows’
I have a new post on the Slugger O’Toole blog, a review of a new book called ‘Beauty through Broken Windows’, published on Sunday, the World Day of the Poor.
The book is inspired by the legacy of Edmund Rice, … Read more...