Diocesan News11 Mar 16

East Belfast pupils take a religious and ethical look at the events of 1916

Pupils from seven schools in the Castlereagh and East Belfast area, together with the Braniel and Gilnahirk Churches have gathered today (11 March) to take a religious and ethical look at two major events in Northern Ireland’s history. 

The young people, all of whom were born in and around the time of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, shared their different perspectives on the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme at an event hosted by Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock. Also taking part were Campbell College, Bloomfield Collegiate, Strathearn School, Grosvenor Grammar, Lagan College, Ashfield Girls and Ashfield Boys. 

Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick, from Union Theological College (Systematic Theology and History), was the main speaker and clergy and church leaders from the Gilnahirk Churches also participated. 

Dr Frances Vasey, Principal of Grosvenor Grammar, described the event as a “wonderful opportunity in a very secure, very safe environment, to talk about events, to share opinions about history and to look forward to the future.”

Listen to a report on BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Good Morning Ulster’ here (at 1:12:20).

Pictured L–R: Dermott Mullan (Principal of Our Lady and St Patrick’s College), Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick, Revd Nigel Kirkpatrick (St Dorothea’s), Susan MacFarland (Braniel Community Church), Revd Stephen Moore (Gilnahirk Presbyterian), Josh Newell (Campbell College), Rebecca Gilmore (Our Lady and St Patrick’s College), Laura Hutcheson (Gilnahirk Presbyterian) and Revd John Wonnacot (Braniel Methodist). Also present but not pictured, a representative of St Colmcille’s Parish.