presbyterian

SOAPBOX: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland – reforms needed

Soapbox on June 20, 2022, 8:30 am | Readers 4186

Steven Smyrl is a professional genealogist, lecturer, author, and former elder in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This week’s meeting in Belfast of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) prompts me to reflect on my experience at the hands of the church since the momentous decision at the 2018 General Assembly to exclude gay couples from full membership and their children from baptism. That decision culminated in a highly public controversy about my same-sex marriage, and …

Presbyterian Church Punishes Ford for Marriage Equality Vote

Gerry Lynch on April 25, 2013, 8:45 am | Readers 622

The News Letter and the Antrim Guardian have both reported that Justice Minister David Ford has ‘agreed’ to step down from his duties as an elder at Second Donegore Presbyterian Church in County Antrim, as a result of his vote in favour of civil marriage equality. This seems to have been the result of what has clearly been quite serious pressure in what the News Letter describes as “months of private meetings” at the sub-regional body to which Second Donegore …

“two challenges and a serious suggestion” offered to Ulster GAA by Dr Norman Hamilton

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on October 29, 2011, 2:15 pm | Readers 57

It’s hard to predict where a Presbyterian minister will pop up next. The latest nationalist foray was conducted this afternoon by former moderator Dr Norman Hamilton who had accepted an invitation to address the Ulster GAA at their Club and Community Development Conference in Armagh City Hotel (the scene of last week’s UUP conference). Back on 10 January when he was still moderator, Hamilton met with the Ulster GAA in Armagh. The meeting during which the news of Michaela McAreavey’s …

Hamilton: open to talks with UVF but not meeting Catholic leader?

Blank on September 15, 2010, 8:16 pm | Readers 39

Norman Hamilton, Presbyterian Moderator, has claimed his decision not to meet Joseph Ratzinger, Bishop of Rome, was due to “troubling issues” which needed to be addressed. However, the moderator said he had declined the opportunity to be presented to the Pope or to shake his hand after the service because there were a number of issues which needed “substantive discussion back in Ireland”. “There appear to be troubling differences between us on how we deal with the past,” he said. …