Author Archives: Gerry Lynch

Tides Also Come In

TIDES ALSO COME IN (A response to Arnold. And to Cupitt.) A stormy sea today. Grey rock pools catch a leaden sky In Lowry hues; not very far away Bangor’s a shade; the hills of Ireland peer, Like dragons’ silhouettes … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tides Also Come In

Dark clouds over the rainbow nation

This article appeared in The Tablet on 13 April 2017. The crisis long bubbling inside the African National Congress now threatens to boil over into widespread violence throughout the country. Faith leaders have a vital part to play in finding … Continue reading

Posted in Journalism, South Africa, World Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Dark clouds over the rainbow nation

God in the West: the New Atheism and Its Discontents

My Address to the Bournemouth William Temple Association, 5th December 2016      Thank you for inviting me to speak at a meeting of the William Temple Association. Temple has long been a man I have admired. Indeed, he is … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Global, Reflection | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on God in the West: the New Atheism and Its Discontents

You’re hired!: Can the Catholic Church learn about choosing parish clergy from the Church of England?

This article was printed in The Tablet on 10 November 2016 Ecumenical Catholic leaders have been considering whether they could learn from the Church of England about lay involvement in choosing parish clergy One of the most distinctive differences between … Continue reading

Posted in Anglicanism, Christianity, Journalism | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on You’re hired!: Can the Catholic Church learn about choosing parish clergy from the Church of England?

First Past the Post is now harming unionism because it is concentrated around Belfast

This article appeared in the News Letter of 9 September 2016 With Northern Ireland’s healthy population growth in recent years, the province is set to lose only one of its existing 18 seats. Additionally, some large differences in electorate size … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Journalism, Northern Ireland | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on First Past the Post is now harming unionism because it is concentrated around Belfast

The Pope is Still a Catholic

Cross-posted at Slugger O’Toole… Lefty atheists from North London to Northern California are in outrage today at the latest shock revelations that Pope Francis is, in fact, a Catholic. “The pope played us for fools, trying to have it both … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Global, LGBT, USA | Comments Off on The Pope is Still a Catholic

To A Young Fisherman

TO A YOUNG FISHERMAN Fairer still than a rose, your cheeks aglowing, Your feet more graceful than a tulip’s stem And in your eyes there sparkled like a gem, For friendship, such an infinite deep longing. Behind us was the … Continue reading

Posted in LGBT, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on To A Young Fisherman

The Strange Death of Catholic Ireland

This piece was published in the print edition of Prospect magazine in July 2015. In the referendum held in Ireland on 22nd May, voters chose overwhelmingly—by 62 per cent to 38 per cent—to endorse a proposal to amend the country’s … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, history, Ireland, Journalism | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Strange Death of Catholic Ireland

“A Battle A Day” Is Creating A Political Wasteland

This blog was originally posted on Slugger O’Toole… “It will always be a battle a day between those who want maximum change and those who want to maintain the status quo”. Recognise the quote? It came from Gerry Adams’ speech … Continue reading

Posted in Northern Ireland | Tagged , | Comments Off on “A Battle A Day” Is Creating A Political Wasteland

On Charlie Kennedy

Originally posted at Slugger O’Toole… There’s lots of talk about Charlie Kennedy’s talents and his ‘flaws’, often a euphemistic way of talking about his alcoholism. Alistair Campbell has blogged movingly and directly about their shared illness. It was never exactly … Continue reading

Posted in Europe | Tagged , | Comments Off on On Charlie Kennedy