Pope Francis's death now sets in motion the conclave drama of choosing a successor
Ostensibly this will be a democratic vote among the cardinals, many of whom were appointed by the late Pope Francis himself. But Catholic teaching has it that the pope is selected by the Holy Ghost, who will guide those old men in red towards a decision approved by God.
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Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Bishop of Derry: ‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families… These people were the real heroes'
Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of a service in St Columb's Cathedral on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of his consecration as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in 1975, he said: 'This is one of the most touching invitations of my career and it has brought back so many memories of the vast changes in church life and politics during the last half-century.' Robin Eames, now in his 89th year, came to Derry as bishop when he was only 37. At his Consecration in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh he invited the Catholic Bishop of Derry Edward Daly to walk with him down the aisle. 'I believe that this was the first time it happened. I wanted to show that he and I were friends, and that I was holding out the hand of friendship to the whole Catholic community in Derry.' Lord Eames also made a point of visiting the homes of people in the Bogside. 'This was to let them know that I was not their enemy and that I wanted to understand their feelings. During one of the first meetings a man opened the door, shook my hand and said 'Welcome to Derry, my name is John Hume'. We met frequently afterwards and he always impressed me greatly.' After five years in Derry, Eames became Bishop of Down and Dromore. 'The divisions in Belfast were deeper than in Derry, and the attitudes had hardened. These were some of the worst years of the Troubles,' he said. 'My experience in Derry had taught me much about bridge-building and I received great warmth and support from all sides in that city. In Belfast I got on well with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor Cahal Daly, and the relationships between all the main Churches improved greatly.' In 1986 Eames became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, a post which he held until his retirement in 2006. He worked closely with Catholic Primates Tomas O'Fiach, Cahal Daly, and Sean Brady. 'I always related to them as human beings and not only as senior Church figures. I asked them to take me as I am, and they did the same for me. Our friendships helped us through some very testing situations. It was a privilege to work with them.' One of the most difficult challenges he faced as Archbishop was the prolonged stand-off at Drumcree between residents and members of the Orange Order which led to widespread violence. 'I received many demands, particularly from the Irish Republic, to close the Drumcree parish church, but I could not shut a building where people from all backgrounds came to worship. I was severely criticized, which was personally hurtful, but closing the church was something I could not do in all conscience. "I deeply regret that the Drumcree dispute lasted so long and showed the world the deep divisions in our community. However, I believe it was the right decision to keep the church open.' In 2009 Lord Eames and the former Catholic priest Denis Bradley produced their report for the Consultative Group on the Past which was shelved amid controversy over its recommendations. 'Obviously I was disappointed but if people look at the small print it still has the seeds of a solution to our divisions. A former Northern Ireland Secretary told me if he had accepted the report it would have prevented what took place later on.' Robin Eames also travelled the world as a clerical trouble-shooter dealing with major issues facing the Anglican Communion. 'I was sent by Archbishop Robert Runcie, and my experience in Derry helped me build bridges that would last. I became friends with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who once stayed in our home in Armagh. We shared many of the same problems in Northern Ireland and South Africa as prisoners of our past.' Lord Eames also played a key role behind the scenes in the creation of the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which, he believes, formed the path towards the Good Friday Agreement. 'I had the highest regard for Sir John Major and Albert Reynolds who played such a major part in producing the Declaration.' He has also been a cross-bencher in the Lords since his retirement as Archbishop, something he says has taught him that basic understanding of 'Englishness' and 'Irishness' has been 'one of the root causes of a great many problems between the two parts of the UK'. Lord Eames has served as chairman of some of the Anglican Communion's most important Commissions. He has received numerous awards, and is a member of the Order of Merit — a very special honour bestowed on him personally by the late Queen Elizabeth . It is confined to a maximum of 24 people, and the current members include Sir David Attenborough and the artist David Hockney Badly injured in a fall last year, Lord Eames is making a steady recovery, and reflected on the past and present. 'There have been so many changes in all the churches but for me the basic message and challenge of Christianity remain the same.' 'I had very difficult times in my ministry trying to comfort victims of violence and their families, and sometimes I am still overwhelmed when I recall how bad it all was. Yet I also remember those who impressed us with their courage and faith from the depths of adversity. 'I was with Gordon and Joan Wilson on the day their daughter Marie was killed in the Enniskillen bomb. Their Christianity and example in dealing with that immense personal tragedy was an inspiration to all of us, and they were not the only ones. They are real heroes. 'I look back on my life and praise God for giving me strength to minister to all sorts of people. I also pay tribute to my wife Christine who has been a tower of strength to me throughout my ministry. I have so much for which to be thankful.'
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families … These people were the real heroes'
Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of a service in St Columb's Cathedral on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of his consecration as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in 1975, he said: 'This is one of the most touching invitations of my career and it has brought back so many memories of the vast changes in church life and politics during the last half-century.' Robin Eames, now in his 89th year, came to Derry as bishop when he was only 37. At his Consecration in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh he invited the Catholic Bishop of Derry Edward Daly to walk with him down the aisle. 'I believe that this was the first time it happened. I wanted to show that he and I were friends, and that I was holding out the hand of friendship to the whole Catholic community in Derry.' Lord Eames also made a point of visiting the homes of people in the Bogside. 'This was to let them know that I was not their enemy and that I wanted to understand their feelings. During one of the first meetings a man opened the door, shook my hand and said 'Welcome to Derry, my name is John Hume'. We met frequently afterwards and he always impressed me greatly.' After five years in Derry, Eames became Bishop of Down and Dromore. 'The divisions in Belfast were deeper than in Derry, and the attitudes had hardened. These were some of the worst years of the Troubles,' he said. 'My experience in Derry had taught me much about bridge-building and I received great warmth and support from all sides in that city. In Belfast I got on well with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor Cahal Daly, and the relationships between all the main Churches improved greatly.' In 1986 Eames became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, a post which he held until his retirement in 2006. He worked closely with Catholic Primates Tomas O'Fiach, Cahal Daly, and Sean Brady. 'I always related to them as human beings and not only as senior Church figures. I asked them to take me as I am, and they did the same for me. Our friendships helped us through some very testing situations. It was a privilege to work with them.' One of the most difficult challenges he faced as Archbishop was the prolonged stand-off at Drumcree between residents and members of the Orange Order which led to widespread violence. 'I received many demands, particularly from the Irish Republic, to close the Drumcree parish church, but I could not shut a building where people from all backgrounds came to worship. I was severely criticized, which was personally hurtful, but closing the church was something I could not do in all conscience. "I deeply regret that the Drumcree dispute lasted so long and showed the world the deep divisions in our community. However, I believe it was the right decision to keep the church open.' In 2009 Lord Eames and the former Catholic priest Denis Bradley produced their report for the Consultative Group on the Past which was shelved amid controversy over its recommendations. 'Obviously I was disappointed but if people look at the small print it still has the seeds of a solution to our divisions. A former Northern Ireland Secretary told me if he had accepted the report it would have prevented what took place later on.' Robin Eames also travelled the world as a clerical trouble-shooter dealing with major issues facing the Anglican Communion. 'I was sent by Archbishop Robert Runcie, and my experience in Derry helped me build bridges that would last. I became friends with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who once stayed in our home in Armagh. We shared many of the same problems in Northern Ireland and South Africa as prisoners of our past.' Lord Eames also played a key role behind the scenes in the creation of the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which, he believes, formed the path towards the Good Friday Agreement. 'I had the highest regard for Sir John Major and Albert Reynolds who played such a major part in producing the Declaration.' He has also been a cross-bencher in the Lords since his retirement as Archbishop, something he says has taught him that basic understanding of 'Englishness' and 'Irishness' has been 'one of the root causes of a great many problems between the two parts of the UK'. Lord Eames has served as chairman of some of the Anglican Communion's most important Commissions. He has received numerous awards, and is a member of the Order of Merit — a very special honour bestowed on him personally by the late Queen Elizabeth . It is confined to a maximum of 24 people, and the current members include Sir David Attenborough and the artist David Hockney Badly injured in a fall last year, Lord Eames is making a steady recovery, and reflected on the past and present. 'There have been so many changes in all the churches but for me the basic message and challenge of Christianity remain the same.' 'I had very difficult times in my ministry trying to comfort victims of violence and their families, and sometimes I am still overwhelmed when I recall how bad it all was. Yet I also remember those who impressed us with their courage and faith from the depths of adversity. 'I was with Gordon and Joan Wilson on the day their daughter Marie was killed in the Enniskillen bomb. Their Christianity and example in dealing with that immense personal tragedy was an inspiration to all of us, and they were not the only ones. They are real heroes. 'I look back on my life and praise God for giving me strength to minister to all sorts of people. I also pay tribute to my wife Christine who has been a tower of strength to me throughout my ministry. I have so much for which to be thankful.'
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Police Ombudsman won't investigate incident in Bangor where PSNI fired shots after man seen with imitation gun
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton told the Policing Board yesterday that the watchdog is 'not opening an investigation' after shots were fired by police. The incident occurred on the evening of May 18 in High Street in Bangor, where a man was seen in a business with a firearm. Belfast Magistrates Court was later told the RAF veteran pointed a 'realistic looking' imitation gun at armed police demanding to be shot. It was stated he put officers in such a state of fear they fired several rounds at the 45-year-old during a near two hour stand-off. During the incident, to which an armed response unit was called, the unnamed individual identified himself as a veteran of both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The man was later arrested and charged with a range of offences, including 'possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and violence'. The response of officers was praised by Mr Singleton. 'An individual clearly and significantly in distress, who pointed a fire arm at them (officers) in High Street, Bangor,' he said. 'Having reviewed the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the police firearms, the Police Ombudsman have confirmed that they are not opening an investigation. 'I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the officers, who I think demonstrated exceptional professionalism, courage resilience and restraint.' Also discussed in the meeting was the controversial arrest of pro-Palestinian activists last month. Sue Pentel (72), a member of the group Jews for Palestine, was arrested alongside a fellow activist in her 50s in relation to 'criminal damage' to a Barclay's bank cash machine in Belfast. Stickers had been placed on the ATM. The arrest of the pair sparked criticism from some politicians, including from the First Minister, and the public. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said an investigation had been launched by the Police Ombudsman in relation to the arrest. 'We are limited to what we can say due to the Ombudsman investigation,' he said. 'I, of course, had the luxury at the time of seeing the body worn video. 'I was satisfied as I said around the professionalism with which the officers dealt with those that were protesting. 'I welcome the Ombudsman's investigation into it. If they find there is organisational learning within that, of course, we will respond to that.' In relation to the recent withdrawal of allegations of sectarianism by a Catholic former police officer, named as 'Sean' to protect his identity, Mr Singleton said he was 'relieved' that the accusations were retracted. 'In recent months public attention has been drawn to the very serious allegations of sectarianism in the police force,' he said. 'Sean's claims understandably caused public concern. The type of behaviour that was alleged was, as I have said at the time, absolutely disgraceful. 'Since the last board meeting, Sean has of course now unequivocally retracted his allegations. 'He has acknowledged that they were unfounded and he has expressed deep regret for the distress that has been caused. 'I am relieved that Sean has done this, and I think it is the best possible outcome for everybody.' It was also revealed in the meeting that four officers had been dismissed by the Chief Constable, John Boutcher, both for inappropriate material being shared on WhatsApp chats and one for 'misusing substances'. 'In the last two months as well, the Chief Constable has personally convened four fast-tracked special case misconduct hearings,' he said. 'Three of these hearings were in respect to inappropriate material in private WhatsApp groups, discovered as part of a Police Ombudsman investigation. 'And a further hearing related to substance misuse. All four officers were dismissed by the Chief Constable,' said Mr Singleton. The Policing Board also discussed an online 'gangs of boys', referred to as 'the Com' by police. They were referred to as 'online misogynists' by the National Economic Crime director general, Graeme Biggar. 'We are living our lives more online. We see that play out in crimes in relation to online fraud, cyber-crimes and child sexual abuse and exploitation,' said Mr Biggar. 'The particular example is in what we highlighted in our March publication was the emergence over the last two years, in particular the last year, of a new-ish phenomenon generally called 'the Com'. 'This is an online grouping of gangs of boys with a nihilistic, misogynistic mindset, who focus on grooming and coercing young girls into abusing themselves, and into self-harm. 'This is in particular an English speaking phenomenon, but it causes significant harm. 'We did an alert out to chief constables in March. We have a number of investigations into it across the UK. 'We have had a number of prosecutions so far. We have not had incidences of this in Northern Ireland, yet. We don't have any investigations here, but it will come.' Two weeks ago, a number of families had been forced out of their homes in north Belfast as a result of a series of sectarian attacks. News Catch Up - Thursday 5 June Mr Henderson told the board a man has been arrested and charged in relation to the attacks. 'On May 21, that night we saw attacks on houses, windows broken. It was clearly a sectarian attempt to intimidate people out of their homes,' he said. 'We will bring all of our investigative powers to bring people to justice. 'We have investigated, and, this week, we have arrested and charged a male in relation to damage caused to one of the properties.'
