Author Archives: Gerry Lynch

Statues of Kleve

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Gerry Lynch

Kleve, best known as the home of Anne of Cleves, is a county town in the German state of Northrhine-Westphalia, just 10 kilometres from the Dutch border, with a population of just under 50,000 – and an interesting collection of … Continue reading →

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Who Benefits from the Collapse of Power Sharing?

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Gerry Lynch

Cross-posted at Slugger O’Toole… We’re unlikely to know for a long time exactly why talks on restoring devolved government collapsed in such spectacular fashion last week. It’s always worth asking, in those circumstances, ‘cui bono?’ A long-term collapse in devolved … Continue reading →

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South Africa: The last days of the Zuma presidency

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Gerry Lynch

My latest blog for Prospect Magazine on Zuma’s departure and the prospects for Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency of South Africa… Cyril Ramaphosa, leader since December of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the country since its transition to … Continue reading →

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Buckfast Abbey

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Gerry Lynch

A meeting recently took me to Buckfast Abbey, a first visit. This is a Benedictine Abbey in the heart of rural Devon. It was a midwinter day of strong sunshine and stronger showers, which allowed for some dramatic photography. Dating … Continue reading →

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On The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Gerry Lynch

I’m still wishing people a Merry Christmas, because it’s still Christmastide: today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, and traditionalists will take their decorations down tonight. In fact, this year, most churches will have an unusual thirteenth day of Christmas. … Continue reading →

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Tides Also Come In

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Gerry Lynch

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 →

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Dark clouds over the rainbow nation

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Gerry Lynch

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 →

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God in the West: the New Atheism and Its Discontents

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Gerry Lynch

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 →

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

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Gerry Lynch

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 →

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

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Gerry Lynch

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 →

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