Photo was taken yesterday in Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co.Cork (Irl)

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins with his wife Sabina, enjoying a special concert put on by over 300 young people from various VEC secondary schools from Cork yesterday

Thought on Saturday – January – 19/01/2013

‘Despite real differences and difficulties between churches, the ecumenical glass is half full and not half empty. The fact is that the words of the Gospel are unique, universal and for all times.’ ~Brendan Leahy

This week we celebrate a week of prayer for Christian unity. It is an international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between 18 January and 25 January. It is actually an octave, an observance lasting eight days. Down through the years so many divisions tarnished unity. Many of these divisions reflected the pettiness of human nature. In Northern Ireland great strides have been made in recent years to extend the hand of friendship across the religious and political divide. But recent rioting in Belfast shows just how fragile things can get between different communities.

Our world today is made up of many faiths. For too long the emphasis has always been on differences and dominance. What’s the point of prayer for Christian unity? It is a reminder that the emphasis is now on common ground and the strength of working together. What unites us is far greater than what divides us. At the end of the day we believe in the same God and it’s recognising that people do it in different ways. No one way can ever say it’s the only way.