Line of Duty’s character, Adrian Dunbar, Supt Ted Hastings called it true in an uproar this week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Partition in Northern Ireland.
“Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the little donkey, can we move this thing before it leads us all to the bloody turn?”
Well, no.
Not yet, because a retired Presbyterian minister has a lot to choose with as Northern Ireland’s First Minister. (And this column will not write itself).
Paul Gevan of DUP, also a member of the Free Presbyterian Church, was among the important guests at Thursday’s community service, and Reverend Evan Foster was not amused.
According to Alan Preston’s excellent report in the Belfast Telegraph on Friday, Reverend Foster Jeevan was criticized for participating in an «unscriptural» event «held under the auspices of apostate cults gathered here in Ulster».
The reporter tells us that Jeevan attended despite public objections from his church, which is «sad» because this week’s service was «deliberately planned to advance the non-biblical religious ecumenical spirit.»
In the run-up to the event, Free Presbyterian Coordinator Reverend John Armstrong declared that «it has been arranged to further the purposes of non-biblical ecumenism when it should have been a service of celebration and thanksgiving at the hand of the Lord to our country for the past hundred years.»
Reverend Foster, a former pastor at Umag’s Kilskire Church, says not punishing the First Minister for his «blatant breach» would make their church laughable. May God have mercy on his people in Ulster who have given such poor spiritual and political leadership in these trying times, he said.
Preston asked Reverend Foster why Paul Geffen was wrong to attend when Queen Elizabeth felt it was appropriate before illness forced her to cancel.
«The Queen is not a Free Presbyterian. He replied that the Queen was not someone who sat down and said, ‘I believe in the doctrines of the Free Presbyterian Church’.»
“She is the head of the Church of England, who is dogs of all kinds of filth. That is the truth theologically.”
correct.
There are no royals in Royal Hillsborough
An honor guard by the Hillsborough Fort Guard before a ceremony at Hillsborough Castle to officially rename the village the Royal Hillsborough. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Hillsborough was a small village without the Prince this week, much to the disappointment of many in the picturesque village of Co Dawn.
The ecumenical service at Irish Armagh Church Cathedral wasn’t the only concert designed for the 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth. It was also to be located in Hillsborough to give the city «royal» status. When it was confirmed the day before the party that she would not be able to attend, there were high hopes that another family member would attend instead. But Buckingham Palace ruled it out.
So no queen, prince, or princess was present to celebrate the awarding of a royal prefix. Despite this setback, the flag-waving children and proud locals somehow managed to contain their unbridled joy when North Secretary Brandon Lewis arrived to unveil the patent for letters – an official scroll formalizing the village’s royal status, which had been announced earlier from this year.
Granting a patent for letters on the centenary of Northern Ireland was a tribute to Hillsborough Castle, the official royal residence of Northern Ireland.
«This is great news for the village of Hillsborough, a truly wonderful place that deserves such a special honour,» said Lewis, who also makes Hillsborough Castle his official residence. «Revealing the letters’ patent not only gives the village a special honour, but it also acknowledges the unique history and close ties that bind the area to the royal family.»
No wonder he was pleased. At least he didn’t have the Queen and her entourage move to his spear on Thursday night and everyone was worried.
The new «Royal Hillsborough» banner was immediately raised, and DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, along with Prime Minister Paul Givvan and Donaldson’s predecessor, Edwin Potts, posed for pictures beside it. It appears the village is now joining the Royal Leamington Spa, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Royal Wootton Bassett in the Royal Starters Club.
cough in science
Staying in the South: President Michael D. Higgins. Photography: Laszlo Jiekzo/INFO
Michael D Higgins will not lose any sleep over his decision not to attend the controversial church service in Armagh. He got a round of applause from the crowd (mostly young girls) when he arrived at Tallaght Stadium for the World Cup qualifier match between the Republic of Ireland and Sweden.
Irish football fan Higgins witnessed Ireland lose by one goal after a promising display against the country currently ranked second in the FIFA world rankings. As happy as Larry was with his football night after a glistening day when the Irish Statistics Society hosted an event at ras an Uachtaráin.
The crowd was also attended by Secretary of State for Sports Jack Chambers, after returning from his trip to St Patrick’s Basilica in Ireland earlier in the day. Fianna Fáil TD was commissioned by his boss to go up to Armagh and take one for the team. He seemed relieved to be back in Dublin, although he continues to ruthlessly post abuse on social media for attending the service.
We heard there was an uproar in Irish government circles when the British Prime Minister arrived wearing a mask decorated with the Union flag. The understanding was that no emblems would be displayed, but Boris Johnson boasted one anyway. In his world, agreements are there to be broken.
But back to Michael D.
The Centenarian Bounty Presidential Award is given to persons on the island of Ireland upon reaching the age of 100. There is also a congratulatory letter and a commemorative coin. He could have sent a €2,540 (around £2,000) bounty instead of his Thursday attendance, destined for Royal Hillsborough.
The Healing-Raes
Danny Healy Ray. Photography: Nick Bradshaw
Dáil’s cross-border healthcare directive was lifted Tuesday by Danny Healy-Rae, who noted that it has been used with great success by people who need joint replacement or urgent cataract surgery. Kerry TD, his brother Michael, and fellow Rural Independent colleague Michael Collins have a keen interest in the matter and have been at the fore in arranging transportation north for elderly patients who need these services from their counties in Kerry and Cork.
On the same day, Seanad’s Special Select Committee on Brexit was also speaking about the directive. Cathaoirleach Lisa Chambers chaired a discussion with Ministry of Health officials about a directive that provides for reimbursement for treatment in an EU member state for a patient who is entitled to receive the same treatment in his/her state/country of origin.
But since Brexit, the directive no longer applies to the UK, including Northern Ireland. This attitude was behind Danny’s question to Taoiseach.
He was told that the government was «very keen to ensure that the 350 million euros available under the waiting list initiative would be spent and every effort would be made to provide treatment to people in different locations» and would return to him with the latest information in December.
Meanwhile, Seanad’s commission asked witnesses to split the numbers of people benefiting from health care across the border. It was noted that most patients come from the border counties but more than usual came from Cork and Kerry.
This was the result of «organized logistical assistance,» one official explained.
Sir Humphrey’s description of the famous Cataract bus at Hailey-Rice.
The Service of the Late Representative David Amis
Requiem for David Amis at St Theresa’s Church, Clarendon Street, Dublin. Photography: Dara McDonnell
Members of the Oireachtas attended a mass for Rep. David Amis at Clarendon Street Church at lunchtime on Thursday. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, delivered the first reading and led intercession by TDs and senators from all political spectrums.
The Mass was celebrated by Father Vincent O’Hara, member of the Carmelite Congregation of Saint Teresa.
The attendees included British Ambassador Paul Johnston and Australian Ambassador Gary Gray.
Hymns during the ceremony reflected Irish and British traditions and included compositions by Ronan McDonagh (St Theresa’s organist and music director), St John painter Henry Newman Led, Kindley Light, and Jesus, the spiritual lover of Charles Wesley. The cantor was Miav ne Mahaulchata.