On the final day of his tour of both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, Prince Charles visited the country's oldest peace and reconciliation centre. Run by Christians, the Corrymeela Centre played a vital role in bringing together people on all sides of the troubles. Speaking at the centre, he said, ‘By our shared wounds and scars we can, I hope, I pray, share healing and a friendship made all the stronger for the trials it has overcome. We have all suffered too much, too many people's loved ones have been killed or maimed. Surely it is time, as I said in Sligo two days ago, that we became the subjects of our history and not its prisoners. Surely, too, in the roots of Corrymeela, we can discover lessons that can serve as a model to all who strive for peace and reconciliation.’

The ‘Yes’ result in the same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland has led to calls for its introduction in Northern Ireland. Patrick Corrigan, of Amnesty International, complained that Northern Ireland is now the one region in the UK and Ireland where gay people are not allowed to get married. Sinn Féin’s Caitríona Ruane said she was part of the campaign in the south and if the north do not legislate for same-sex marriage she has no doubt there will be a legal case on discrimination. Dr Norman Hamilton, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, said, ‘We regard marriage as being exclusively between a man and a woman. But if there were changes to be made, then I would want to urge that they are made by the legislators rather than by the courts.’ For perspectives to help you pray please read the statement from THE MILL GATHERING at:

Last Thursday the Church of Scotland General Assembly took the first step to extend the provision covering ministers in same-sex civil partnerships to those in same-sex marriages. The final decision has been deferred until its presbyteries have been consulted, so presbyteries will now debate the matter and return their votes by the end of this year. Their decision will then be brought back to the General Assembly. This is a critical time for the Church of Scotland. Please pray.

This is a quote from one of our servicemen: ‘I'm a month into my new job and haven't come across any Christian groups yet. Mind you, I'm working at (named headquarters) so haven't come across my family much either - there is an interesting work ethic.’ Please pray for isolated Christian brothers and sisters to find Christian fellowship. Please pray also for those with mental illness, as a result of being on the front line. Pray for a recognition by the authorities that it is real, and needs as much treatment as physical injuries. (There is an ‘Armed Forces Covenant’ to ensure that no member of service personnel, current or former, is disadvantaged due to their military service.) Pray for sufficient resourcing and excellent quality care and support to be provided for all the wounded. Please also pray for the Strategic Defence Review, that numbers will not be cut beyond what is sensible and reasonable.

Britain’s counter-terror chief, Mark Rowley, said he will fight for police to be kept on the beat, amid fears that budget cuts will see fewer officers gathering vital intelligence needed to thwart a growing tide of people trying to stage terrorist attacks. His comments came as he warned that hundreds of people who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State had returned to Britain, and there is a growing threat of attacks (several plots to kill were foiled recently). There are five Government counter-terrorism threat levels. They indicate the stages of security needed to protect our nation. They range from LOW - an attack is unlikely - through to SEVERE - an attack is expected imminently. The current threat level from international terrorism is SEVERE. Terrorism in the UK remains real and serious. An attack could take place at any time and any organisation could be directly or indirectly affected. See also

The suicide of a 92 year-old Christian woman, dubbed Britain's oldest poppy seller, has prompted calls for an ‘Olive's Law’ to be introduced, to curb unsolicited phone calls from charities looking for money. According to her family and friends, Olive was driven to her death partly because she was ‘exhausted’ by the constant demands of cold calls and direct mail from charities, many of which she had supported over the years. Now the Government is being urged to take action, by introducing a so-called ‘Olive's Law’. Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, said, ‘We don't want to impede charities in their efforts to raise much-needed support, but if a law change is needed to stop vulnerable people like Olive being harassed, then so be it.’ The Institute of Fundraising Standards Committee said it will bring together representatives from across the charity sector to review the case.

A YouGov poll of 3,000 adults found that the public are interested in religious leaders, but no longer give them the authority they used to possess. To influence people and make a difference in today's world, religious leaders have to possess personal charisma and an important post. They also have to show they have triumphed over personal struggle and strife of their own. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was found to have made the ‘best contribution’ to moral and religious life in Britain. Pope Francis was joint second with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The British are particularly impressed by leaders who have made stands for the marginalised.

The leaders of four Protestant denominations have written an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to review the benefit sanctions regime and to delay a decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system. They also urge ‘assertive international action to uphold human rights and deliver humanitarian assistance in Syria’ and ‘action to make freedom of religion a human rights priority in all aspects of foreign policy’. The open letter was signed by leaders of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. It says, ‘We hope and pray that as you make decisions about your programme for government, you will choose to offer the greatest support to those of our neighbours who are the weakest, the most vulnerable and the most in need of our help. Such policies will not always be popular, but they are necessary if we are to live out the common good.’