7.8.04
Belfast Telegraph
Belfast festival first for Moderator
By Alf McCreary
07 August 2004
KEN Newell will tomorrow become the first Presbyterian Moderator to officially take part in the West Belfast Festival.
The Right Rev Newell will speak at St Oliver Plunkett's Church at 7.30pm on the topic "Imagining Belfast - My Kind of City."
The invitation to speak was issued by Fr Martin McGill, from the church, and also the organisers of the Festival.
Dr Newell, who was brought up on the Shore Road in North Belfast, is currently minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, and his ministry has been noted for significant ecumenical outreach.
He has forged close ties with Fr Gerry Reynolds of Clonard Monastery, and both Fitzroy and Clonard have undertaken a number of important joint ecumenical initiatives.
Earlier this year Dr Newell created controversy when he invited the Catholic Primate, Dr Sean Brady, to attend the opening night of the Presbyterian General Assembly as his personal guest, along with the Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames and the then Methodist President, the Rev Jim Rea.
A Church spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph today: "Dr Newell regards this visit as another opportunity to address a wider audience and to put forward his views about developing friendships."
His address will be followed by a question and answer session.
Earlier this week the MP for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson, of the DUP, also addressed a meeting at the Festival.
The organisers of the festival expressed delight that Mr Newell is coming to speak.
Belfast festival first for Moderator
By Alf McCreary
07 August 2004
KEN Newell will tomorrow become the first Presbyterian Moderator to officially take part in the West Belfast Festival.
The Right Rev Newell will speak at St Oliver Plunkett's Church at 7.30pm on the topic "Imagining Belfast - My Kind of City."
The invitation to speak was issued by Fr Martin McGill, from the church, and also the organisers of the Festival.
Dr Newell, who was brought up on the Shore Road in North Belfast, is currently minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, and his ministry has been noted for significant ecumenical outreach.
He has forged close ties with Fr Gerry Reynolds of Clonard Monastery, and both Fitzroy and Clonard have undertaken a number of important joint ecumenical initiatives.
Earlier this year Dr Newell created controversy when he invited the Catholic Primate, Dr Sean Brady, to attend the opening night of the Presbyterian General Assembly as his personal guest, along with the Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames and the then Methodist President, the Rev Jim Rea.
A Church spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph today: "Dr Newell regards this visit as another opportunity to address a wider audience and to put forward his views about developing friendships."
His address will be followed by a question and answer session.
Earlier this week the MP for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson, of the DUP, also addressed a meeting at the Festival.
The organisers of the festival expressed delight that Mr Newell is coming to speak.
