Rev McIlveen says the Pope is not welcome in Northern Ireland

Rev David McIlveen, retired Free Presbyterian minister, has spoken out against any proposed papal visit to Northern Ireland. Rev McIlveen said that Pope Francis is “not welcome” in Northern Ireland until he condemns clerical child abuse in the Province. 

Rev McIlveen felt a visit by the Pope to Northern Ireland would not be appropriate in light of the recent revelations regarding paedophile priest Malachy Finnegan, who was accused of abusing 12 boys at St Colman’s College in Newry.

Rev McIlveen told BBC’s The Nolan Show this morning: “It is important at this particular juncture in the Roman Catholic Church, with so much clerical abuse, that the church gets its own house in order.

Read the whole article here:

Belfast Newsletter - Pope Francis ‘not welcome’ in NI, says Rev David McIlveen

Row at local Council over a bid to remove prayers at the start of meetings

A row has erupted at North Down and Ards Borough Council after a motion to remove prayers at the start of council meetings was put forward. The Green Party introduced the motion saying it was "not inclusive of those of different religions and beliefs" to have prayers at each meeting. [Click on the graphic to the right to be taken to the audio file]

But the DUP Mayor Robert Adair hit back, accusing the Green Party of attacking Christian values as reported by the Belfast Telegraph. 

Vinny on the Nolan Show got the views of Rev David McIlveen and commentator Malachi O'Doherty. They did also ask Robert Adair, the Mayor of North Down and Ards Borough Council, to come on this show this morning but he declined the offer.

Rev David McIlveen responds to Jeffrey Donaldson's comments welcoming a papal visit

Retired Free Presbyterian minister Rev David McIlveen has responded to MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's comments welcoming a papal visit.

Rev McIlveen said there will be protests if Pope Francis visits Northern Ireland next year. He said that while the Pope has a right to visit, he can expect some opposition.

The full article can be read here: BBC - Protests planned by Free Presbyterians if Pope visits NI

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's comments can be read here: Belfast Telegraph - DUP's Donaldson appears to welcome possible Pope visit to Northern Ireland: I don't think the Protestant community reaction would be negative.

The Belfast Telegraph's editorial [no friend of Biblical Christianity] was quick to welcome the change in tone from the DUP MP, see here DUP MP's views on papal visit to Northern Ireland are very welcome and show just how far we've come since 1979.