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	<title>The Christian Institute &#187; Northern Ireland</title>
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	<link>http://www.christian.org.uk</link>
	<description>Christian influence in a secular world.</description>
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		<title>NI homosexual adoption case put on hold until New Year</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-homosexual-adoption-case-put-on-hold-until-new-year/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-homosexual-adoption-case-put-on-hold-until-new-year/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:19:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay adoption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=5340</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A controversial attempt to allow homosexual couples in Northern Ireland to adopt children has been adjourned by the High Court until March. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission argues the current law, which only permits married couples to jointly adopt children, is discriminatory and contrary to human rights. But when legalising homosexual adoption in the [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>NI keeps blood safeguard, but critics slam decision</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-keeps-blood-safeguard-but-critics-slam-decision/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-keeps-blood-safeguard-but-critics-slam-decision/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:41:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blood ban]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=5025</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland&#8217;s health minister, has decided to keep a lifetime blood safeguard which helps to protect against the risk of HIV contamination. His decision was met with a furious reaction by his political opponents and a homosexual lobby group. The safeguard prevents blood being donated by men who have ever had sex with [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Gay lobbyists pressure NI over blood safeguard</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-lobbyists-pressure-ni-over-blood-safeguard/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-lobbyists-pressure-ni-over-blood-safeguard/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:40:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blood ban]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Homosexuality]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4984</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A homosexual pressure group is calling for Northern Ireland to lift the safeguard which prevents men who have ever had sex with men from giving blood. In the rest of the UK the lifelong safeguard will be lifted from 7 November. From then on men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-lobbyists-pressure-ni-over-blood-safeguard/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Gay march: MLA complains over ‘offensive’ placards</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-march-mla-complains-over-offensive-placards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-march-mla-complains-over-offensive-placards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:28:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Roger Jordan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4890</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The display of a “highly offensive placard” at a homosexual pride march in Northern Ireland has been criticised by a leading politician. Following a public outcry after a previous march the organisers of Belfast Pride gave assurances that anti-Christian placards would not be carried in future parades. But this year’s march saw one activist bearing [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI quango demands same-sex adoption</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-quango-demands-same-sex-adoption/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-quango-demands-same-sex-adoption/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:23:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adoption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay adoption]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4753</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A quango is trying to force homosexual adoption on Northern Ireland despite overwhelming public opposition. When the issue was put out to public consultation in 2006, 95 per cent expressed their opposition. But now a quango has won the legal right to go to court over the issue. Important The Human Rights Commission wants the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-quango-demands-same-sex-adoption/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI church leader: Christian belief is not tolerated</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-church-leader-christian-belief-is-not-tolerated/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-church-leader-christian-belief-is-not-tolerated/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian heritage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political correctness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4641</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“Christians have had their wings clipped in our politically correct world”, the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has warned. Dr Ivan Patterson also highlighted the recent case of a Christian GP in England who discussed his faith with a patient and is facing disciplinary action. Dr Patterson made the comments in a [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-church-leader-christian-belief-is-not-tolerated/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Belfast refuses to endorse Sunday trading deregulation</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-refuses-to-endorse-sunday-trading-deregulation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-refuses-to-endorse-sunday-trading-deregulation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:55:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nigel Kenny</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gambling]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4441</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An attempt to persuade Belfast City Council to support the scrapping of Northern Ireland’s Sunday trading laws has been unsuccessful. Sinn Fein councillor Conor Maskey had called upon the Council to support total deregulation in response to a Stormont consultation. But the Council rejected adopting an official line, instead saying each party should submit their [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-refuses-to-endorse-sunday-trading-deregulation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Church wins court case over banned Bible ad</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-wins-court-case-over-banned-bible-ad/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-wins-court-case-over-banned-bible-ad/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:16:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4352</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A church in Northern Ireland, which had a newspaper ad banned for using the biblical word ‘sodomy’, has had the ban overturned in the High Court today. The advertising regulator blocked the ad in 2008, but today the court said banning the ad was a breach of the church’s rights to free speech. The judge, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-wins-court-case-over-banned-bible-ad/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI churches set to receive boost after Executive move</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-churches-set-to-receive-boost-after-executive-move/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-churches-set-to-receive-boost-after-executive-move/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=4280</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Churches in Northern Ireland look set to be in a safer position thanks to a decision from the Northern Ireland Executive to change charity law. The Executive has said it wants the law to clearly state that religious charities, which include churches, are presumed to provide public benefit. Controversial draft guidance from the Charity Commission [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-churches-set-to-receive-boost-after-executive-move/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Plan to review Sunday shopping hours in NI</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/plan-to-review-sunday-shopping-hours-in-ni/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/plan-to-review-sunday-shopping-hours-in-ni/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:56:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Northern Ireland minister is planning to review Sunday shopping opening hours, in a move which is likely to concern church leaders in the province. The review could result in larger shops being given the go-ahead to open for longer on Sundays. Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, argued that the current 1pm to 6pm opening [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/plan-to-review-sunday-shopping-hours-in-ni/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Church of Ireland bishop: protect religious freedom</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/irish-bishop-protect-religious-freedom/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/irish-bishop-protect-religious-freedom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:37:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lillian Ladele]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3773</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Religious freedoms should not be relegated below other rights, a Church of Ireland bishop has said. Bishop Kenneth Good warned that as values of pluralism and the promotion of equality and diversity are &#8220;considered to be paramount&#8221;, religion can be reduced to simply a personal matter. Speaking at a Synod meeting, Bishop Good said: &#8220;In [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/irish-bishop-protect-religious-freedom/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pro-lifers outraged at first ever NI abortion conference</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-outraged-at-first-ever-ni-abortion-conference/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-outraged-at-first-ever-ni-abortion-conference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:48:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3714</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pro-lifers have blasted an abortion conference currently taking place in Northern Ireland – a province where abortion is illegal in almost every circumstance. The controversial event, co-hosted by pro-abortion group, the Family Planning Association (FPA) and their counterparts from the Republic of Ireland, is the first ever abortion conference to be held in the province. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-outraged-at-first-ever-ni-abortion-conference/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Church open-air meetings safe from Parades Bill</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-open-air-meetings-safe-from-parades-bill/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-open-air-meetings-safe-from-parades-bill/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:01:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3518</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Changes have been made so that church open-air meetings in Northern Ireland will not be affected by a proposed Parades Bill, it was announced yesterday. Before the changes, the draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill would have required any meeting of 50 or more people in a public place to apply for permission at [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-open-air-meetings-safe-from-parades-bill/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pro-lifers cautious over new NI abortion consultation</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-cautious-over-new-ni-abortion-consultation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-cautious-over-new-ni-abortion-consultation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:41:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3449</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pro-lifers have expressed a guarded welcome to a new consultation on abortion laws in Northern Ireland (NI). The consultation has been released by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and is the latest in a long-running legal battle over the issue. And while SPUC, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-cautious-over-new-ni-abortion-consultation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Northern Ireland: Pro-life group in guidance success</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/northern-ireland-pro-life-group-in-guidance-success/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/northern-ireland-pro-life-group-in-guidance-success/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:30:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3366</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pro-lifers have won a significant victory in Northern Ireland with the withdrawal of controversial abortion guidelines. SPUC, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, was set to have a judicial review on the issue in September but now the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has removed its interim guidance completely. Liam [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/northern-ireland-pro-life-group-in-guidance-success/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI Charity Commission puts proposals on hold</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-charity-commission-puts-proposals-on-hold/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-charity-commission-puts-proposals-on-hold/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:00:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3343</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) has been forced to delay its controversial proposals after concerns were raised over its legality. Last month church leaders in Northern Ireland warned that the Charity Commission’s plans could pose a threat to the charitable status of churches. The widely criticised guidance has been postponed in the wake [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-charity-commission-puts-proposals-on-hold/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Alcohol abuse is costing NI up to £884 million a year</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/alcohol-abuse-is-costing-ni-up-to-884-million-a-year/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/alcohol-abuse-is-costing-ni-up-to-884-million-a-year/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:15:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Roger Jordan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alcohol]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3308</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Alcohol abuse is costing Northern Ireland up to £884 million a year, according to shocking new figures. This staggering cost is likely to inflame concerns about the devastating toll which alcohol abuse is taking on society. The figures, which are based on prices from 2008/09, from the province’s health department reveal that the estimated cost [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/alcohol-abuse-is-costing-ni-up-to-884-million-a-year/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI Charity Commission under fire over guidance</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-charity-commission-under-fire-over-guidance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-charity-commission-under-fire-over-guidance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:35:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Roger Jordan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Church leaders in Northern Ireland, in a series of open letters, have warned that the Charity Commission’s draft guidance could threaten the charitable status of churches. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) is due to publish its final ‘public benefit’ guidance soon, having consulted on a draft version of the text. The draft was [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-charity-commission-under-fire-over-guidance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Belfast marathon: no Sunday race in 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-marathon-no-sunday-race-in-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-marathon-no-sunday-race-in-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 12:05:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian heritage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=3035</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Churchgoers&#8217; concerns about switching Belfast City marathon to a Sunday have been heeded by council officials as they confirmed next year&#8217;s event will be held on its usual Bank Holiday Monday date. Churchgoers had hit out at the proposed switch with some saying they would not be able to participate because of their views on [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-marathon-no-sunday-race-in-2011/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sunday marathon: Belfast churches will be consulted</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/sunday-marathon-belfast-churches-will-be-consulted/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/sunday-marathon-belfast-churches-will-be-consulted/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 12:18:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian heritage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=2944</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The organisers of the Belfast Marathon are considering holding talks with churches over plans to move next year’s marathon to a Sunday. Churchgoers in Northern Ireland criticised proposals, announced last month, to move Belfast City Marathon to a Sunday from its traditional May Day bank holiday date. Changes The chairman of Belfast City Marathon, Danny [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/sunday-marathon-belfast-churches-will-be-consulted/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Belfast marathon may be held on a Sunday</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-marathon-may-be-held-on-a-sunday/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-marathon-may-be-held-on-a-sunday/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:28:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Roger Jordan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian heritage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=2901</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Churchgoers in Northern Ireland have blasted a proposal to move Belfast City Marathon to a Sunday from its traditional May Day bank holiday date. Organisers say nothing has been decided yet, but they confirm that the idea is being considered. A Sunday event will lead to some Christian participants pulling out because of their beliefs [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belfast-marathon-may-be-held-on-a-sunday/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Draft charity guidance concerns NI churches</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/draft-charity-guidance-concerns-ni-churches/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/draft-charity-guidance-concerns-ni-churches/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:00:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=2871</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Churches and Christian charities across Northern Ireland could be plunged into worry and confusion unless draft guidance from the charity regulator is changed. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is due to publish its ‘public benefit’ guidance soon, having consulted on a draft version. Church leaders and politicians have today raised concerns that, in the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/draft-charity-guidance-concerns-ni-churches/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>N Ireland: Abortion guidance withdrawn</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/n-ireland-abortion-guidance-withdrawn/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/n-ireland-abortion-guidance-withdrawn/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:34:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Roger Jordan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=2432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pro-life campaigners in Northern Ireland have won a High Court challenge against the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety&#8217;s guidelines on abortion. The judge who originally called for the guidelines to be issued did so &#8220;in the hope that the department will seek to reduce the number of women and girls going away [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/n-ireland-abortion-guidance-withdrawn/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Assisted suicide must stay illegal, say MLAs</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/assisted-suicide-must-stay-illegal-say-mlas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/assisted-suicide-must-stay-illegal-say-mlas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:16:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assisted suicide]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/?p=2317</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Two Northern Ireland MLAs have spoken out against any weakening of the law on assisted suicide, saying it should be “strenuously opposed”. Jeffrey Donaldson and Simon Hamilton made clear their opposition to any attempt to weaken the law on assisted suicide, which is currently illegal. Last month the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/assisted-suicide-must-stay-illegal-say-mlas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>15-year-olds trafficked to Ireland for sex trade</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/15-year-olds-trafficked-to-ireland-for-sex-trade/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/15-year-olds-trafficked-to-ireland-for-sex-trade/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:05:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sam Wylie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Child sexualisation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prostitution]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=2143</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Girls as young as 15 are being trafficked into Ireland as part of the sex trade, according to a prostitution support organisation. The group, Ruhama, said that of the 341 women it had counselled during 2007-08, 100 had been trafficked into Ireland for prostitution. Six of the trafficked women were under the age of 19, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/15-year-olds-trafficked-to-ireland-for-sex-trade/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Let London dictate NI abortion law, MP says</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/let-london-dictate-ni-abortion-law-mp-says/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/let-london-dictate-ni-abortion-law-mp-says/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:05:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=2022</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Labour MP says Northern Ireland&#8217;s elected representatives should not be allowed to decide on abortion law in the Province. Emily Thornberry, who represents a London constituency, was speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on the issue of the abortion law in Northern Ireland. Abortion is only allowed in the Province if the mother’s life [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/let-london-dictate-ni-abortion-law-mp-says/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wasteful equality industry needs trimming, says MP</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/wasteful-equality-industry-needs-trimming-says-mp/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/wasteful-equality-industry-needs-trimming-says-mp/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:48:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1992</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Northern Ireland&#8217;s ‘equality industry’ is spending millions providing only &#8220;limited&#8221; help for minorities and needs trimming down, an MP has said. “Over the last ten years or so we have seen the emergence of various quangos, all of which are connected in one way or another with promoting equality,” said DUP MP Sammy Wilson according [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/wasteful-equality-industry-needs-trimming-says-mp/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Judge gives go-ahead for NI abortion law challenge</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/judge-gives-go-ahead-for-ni-abortion-law-challenge/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/judge-gives-go-ahead-for-ni-abortion-law-challenge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:40:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1948</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Belfast High Court has given a pro-life group permission to challenge Northern Ireland’s health chiefs over abortion guidelines it says are “misleading”. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland unless the mother’s life is at risk, but the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) believes the guidance for health workers fails to reflect this. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/judge-gives-go-ahead-for-ni-abortion-law-challenge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Good Samaritan church          has windows smashed</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/good-samaritan-church-has-windows-smashed/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/good-samaritan-church-has-windows-smashed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:11:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Jess</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Belfast church which offered sanctuary to Romanian immigrants hounded out of their homes by racist thugs was itself attacked last night. Pastor Malcolm Morgan arrived at the church this morning to find several windows and the main glass doorway smashed. Pastor Morgan said the church had never been attacked in such a way before. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/good-samaritan-church-has-windows-smashed/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Church provides shelter for hounded Romanians</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-provides-shelter-for-hounded-romanians/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-provides-shelter-for-hounded-romanians/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:42:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1899</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Belfast church has opened its doors to a number of terrified Romanians who were forced to flee their homes after being targeted by a race hate gang. BBC News report Many of the migrant families had to seek refuge after their homes were violently attacked by youths reportedly linked to a militant neo-Nazi organisation. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/church-provides-shelter-for-hounded-romanians/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pro-lifers challenge NI health dept on abortion</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-challenge-ni-health-dept-on-abortion/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-challenge-ni-health-dept-on-abortion/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:54:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1882</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Health officials in Northern Ireland are to appear in court over new abortion guidelines which a pro-life group says distort the current law. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is seeking a judicial review after the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety rejected its calls for the abortion guidance to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pro-lifers-challenge-ni-health-dept-on-abortion/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Voices unite against the NI Bill of Rights</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/voices-unite-against-the-ni-bill-of-rights/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/voices-unite-against-the-ni-bill-of-rights/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2009 14:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NI Bill of Rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1819</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Northern Ireland Bill of Rights has come under further fire from politicians, human rights activists – and now one of the original architects of the Bill. A commitment to produce a Bill of Rights was included in the Belfast Agreement. But the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) responsible for drawing it up has [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/voices-unite-against-the-ni-bill-of-rights/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>No NI Bill of Rights if Tories win power</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/no-ni-bill-of-rights-if-tories-win-power/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/no-ni-bill-of-rights-if-tories-win-power/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 14:56:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NI Bill of Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1748</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Controversial plans for a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland would be scrapped by a Conservative Government, the party says. The Bill, which critics say would take power from elected representatives and hand it to judges, was drawn up by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. It has been called “unwieldy” by current Secretary of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/no-ni-bill-of-rights-if-tories-win-power/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI school changes favour RCs says Protestant group</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-school-changes-favour-rc-says-protestant-group/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-school-changes-favour-rc-says-protestant-group/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:22:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith schools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1701</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Protestant churches in Northern Ireland say an overhaul of the education system is denying them the same rights as Roman Catholics. Their concerns centre around proposed ‘ownership bodies’ which are to manage schools in each educational sector. The churches currently have automatic representation on education boards, but will have to apply and be appointed to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-school-changes-favour-rc-says-protestant-group/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI abortion guidance is flawed, say groups</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-abortion-guidance-is-flawed-say-groups/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-abortion-guidance-is-flawed-say-groups/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:11:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1579</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Politicians have backed away from supporting new guidance on Northern Ireland’s abortion law. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has published the guidance which it says aims to “explain the existing law” on abortion in the Province. However, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he and his party had “unresolved” concerns about [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-abortion-guidance-is-flawed-say-groups/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Christian MP cleared of &#8216;gay hate&#8217; charges</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-mp-cleared-of-gay-hate-charges/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-mp-cleared-of-gay-hate-charges/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:29:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iris Robinson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1556</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After a ten month wait, Northern Ireland MP Iris Robinson has heard that she will not be prosecuted for discussing her Christian beliefs about homosexuality on a radio show. Homosexual lobby groups, including the police’s own independent advisors on homosexual issues, have reacted angrily to the decision. However, her party, the DUP, has questioned the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-mp-cleared-of-gay-hate-charges/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Smacking row as children&#8217;s chief denies abuse comment</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-row-as-childrens-chief-denies-abuse-comment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-row-as-childrens-chief-denies-abuse-comment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:45:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1352</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A row has erupted over comments from the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner saying smacking is child abuse. The Belfast News Letter has now made the full audio recording of Patricia Lewsley&#8217;s comments available online, and points out that she can be clearly heard agreeing that smacking is child abuse. But the Commissioner has accused the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-row-as-childrens-chief-denies-abuse-comment/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Smacking is &#8216;child abuse&#8217; says NI children&#8217;s chief</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-is-child-abuse-says-ni-childrens-chief/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-is-child-abuse-says-ni-childrens-chief/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:01:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1344</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Parents who smack their children are like &#8216;child abusers&#8217;, Northern Ireland’s Children’s Commissioner has claimed. Patricia Lewsley was giving her first interview since her second failed attempt to ban smacking in the Province ten days ago. The Commissioner responded “no” when asked if she thought there was any difference between a person deliberately setting out [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-is-child-abuse-says-ni-childrens-chief/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Smacking ban bid may go     to Lords at public expense</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-ban-bid-may-go-to-lords-at-public-expense/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-ban-bid-may-go-to-lords-at-public-expense/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:58:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Array]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1333</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner may persist in her effort to ban smacking in the Province by taking her legal challenge to the House of Lords at the taxpayer’s expense. Patricia Lewsley, whose initial legal challenges were rejected by both the High Court and the Appeal Court, has stubbornly refused to rule out an appeal [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-ban-bid-may-go-to-lords-at-public-expense/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI children&#8217;s tsar loses smacking ban attempt</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-childrens-tsar-loses-smacking-ban-attempt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-childrens-tsar-loses-smacking-ban-attempt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:44:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children's commissioner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1320</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An attempt to ban smacking by the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner has been rejected by the Court of Appeal, and taxpayers will pick up the legal bill. The judges confirmed that the lawful use of smacking was not incompatible with children’s rights. The Commissioner, Patricia Lewsley, was challenging the decision by the Secretary of State [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-childrens-tsar-loses-smacking-ban-attempt/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Smacking like electric fence, says NI lawyer</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-like-electric-fence-says-ni-lawyer/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-like-electric-fence-says-ni-lawyer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:58:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children's commissioner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=1126</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Smacking a child is the equivalent of using an electric fence to control an animal, the Court of Appeal has heard. The bizarre argument was made by Mary Higgins QC acting for Northern Ireland’s Children’s Commissioner. The Commissioner, Patricia Lewsley, is attempting to introduce a smacking ban in the Province. She is challenging a decision [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/smacking-like-electric-fence-says-ni-lawyer/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Worrying proposals for NI Bill of Rights</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/worrying-proposals-for-ni-bill-of-rights/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/worrying-proposals-for-ni-bill-of-rights/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:33:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jane Leung</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NI Bill of Rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=865</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Homosexual rights need further protection and ‘harassment’ laws should be introduced to a Bill of Rights, says the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Smacking should also be banned, but not as part of the Bill of Rights, the Commission says. The Commission stopped short of recommending a ‘right’ to abortion in the Province, but said [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/worrying-proposals-for-ni-bill-of-rights/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Police probe Ulster MP&#8217;s gay comments</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/police-probe-ulster-mps-gay-comments/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/police-probe-ulster-mps-gay-comments/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:12:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hate crimes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iris Robinson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=834</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The police are understood to be actively investigating Northern Ireland MP, Iris Robinson, for expressing her religious beliefs about homosexuality on a BBC radio show. Officers from the ‘serious crime branch’ of the Police Service of Northern Ireland will hold interviews about the incident which occurred in June. As part of a BBC Radio Ulster [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/police-probe-ulster-mps-gay-comments/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ireland moves to block abortion ban challenge</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ireland-moves-to-block-abortion-ban-challenge/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ireland-moves-to-block-abortion-ban-challenge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:37:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Irish abortion law]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=781</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ireland’s government is contesting the grounds on which three women are trying to overturn the country’s abortion ban at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The women’s challenge is being supported by the pro-abortion Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA), which hopes that the case will force the Irish Government to change the law on [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ireland-moves-to-block-abortion-ban-challenge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Government backs off NI abortion law change</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/government-backs-off-ni-abortion-law-change/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/government-backs-off-ni-abortion-law-change/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:03:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=782</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Government says the Northern Ireland Assembly should be left to decide any change to abortion law if and when it takes on responsibility for the criminal law. Northern Ireland secretary Shaun Woodward said the Government would not change current arrangements against the wishes of the people in Northern Ireland. A group of MPs from [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/government-backs-off-ni-abortion-law-change/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Harman challenged on NI abortion bid</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/harman-challenged-on-ni-abortion-bid/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/harman-challenged-on-ni-abortion-bid/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:16:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=677</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has been quizzed over MPs’ attempt to impose legalised abortion in Northern Ireland. She was asked to accept that such a move would be “highly inappropriate” and would fail to respect the wishes of the Northern Irish people. A group of MPs led by Diane Abbott have introduced an amendment [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/harman-challenged-on-ni-abortion-bid/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Explicit sex education for pupils with special needs</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/explicit-sex-education-for-pupils-with-special-needs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/explicit-sex-education-for-pupils-with-special-needs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:30:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sex education]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=590</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Children with learning difficulties should be shown explicit images of intercourse as part of sex education, according to a radical new campaign by the Family Planning Association. The FPA’s “It’s My Right” campaign has produced a CD-Rom to be used by special needs teachers and school nurses. It features explicit images of sex and masturbation. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/explicit-sex-education-for-pupils-with-special-needs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Petition attacking Iris Robinson MP rejected</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/petition-attacking-iris-robinson-mp-rejected/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/petition-attacking-iris-robinson-mp-rejected/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:51:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=589</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Prime Minister’s office has rejected a petition asking it to reprimand a Christian MP who expressed the Bible&#8217;s teaching about homosexual practice. A statement published yesterday says, “There is no constitutional role for the Prime Minister to reprimand individual Members of Parliament who are accountable to their electorate for their own comments.” The statement [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/petition-attacking-iris-robinson-mp-rejected/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI parties oppose abortion proposal</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-parties-oppose-abortion-proposal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-parties-oppose-abortion-proposal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:59:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=569</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All four of Northern Ireland&#8217;s main political parties say they will vigorously oppose any attempt to make abortion legal in the Province. Six MPs, none of whom are from Northern Ireland, have signed an amendment seeking to change the law so that the 1967 Abortion Act would apply in the Province. One of them, Labour [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-parties-oppose-abortion-proposal/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NI adoption laws breach human rights, say Lords</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-adoption-laws-breach-human-rights-say-lords/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-adoption-laws-breach-human-rights-say-lords/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:24:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adoption]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=509</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Unmarried couples in Northern Ireland will be allowed to jointly adopt children following a ruling announced by Law Lords. The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 does not allow a couple to jointly adopt a child if they are not married. But today judges in the House of Lords – the highest court in the land [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ni-adoption-laws-breach-human-rights-say-lords/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ex-gay defends doctor in Iris Robinson storm</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ex-gay-defends-doctor-in-iris-robinson-storm/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ex-gay-defends-doctor-in-iris-robinson-storm/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:47:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Judge</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Free speech]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=496</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A former homosexual has leapt to the defence of under-fire psychiatrist, Dr Paul Miller, saying therapy helped him leave his gay life. Listen to an extract from the BBC&#8217;s Stephen Nolan show: Dr Miller has found himself in the middle of a storm after Iris Robinson MP referred to his work helping people who suffer [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ex-gay-defends-doctor-in-iris-robinson-storm/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="http://www.christian.org.uk/issues/2008/rellib/audio/stephenolan_11jun08.mp3" length="4404024" type="audio/mpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MP claims “witch hunt” to silence Christians</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mp-claims-a-%e2%80%9cwitch-hunt%e2%80%9d-is-on-to-silence-christians/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mp-claims-a-%e2%80%9cwitch-hunt%e2%80%9d-is-on-to-silence-christians/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:02:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Free speech]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=490</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is a &#8220;witch hunt&#8221; against Christians who declare their beliefs on homosexual practice, says the Ulster MP reported to police for expressing the Bible&#8217;s teaching on sexual ethics. Iris Robinson, DUP MP for Strangford, used the biblical term “abomination” to describe the practice of homosexuality on a radio programme last Friday. A complaint was [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mp-claims-a-%e2%80%9cwitch-hunt%e2%80%9d-is-on-to-silence-christians/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MP reported to police over &#8216;gay&#8217; comments</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mp-reported-to-police-over-gay-comments/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mp-reported-to-police-over-gay-comments/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:00:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religious liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA['Homosexual hatred' law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Free speech]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=486</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An MP from Northern Ireland has been reported to the police for expressing her religious beliefs on homosexual practice. Iris Robinson, DUP MP for Strangford, was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster&#8217;s Nolan Show on Friday. She said the Bible describes homosexuality as an &#8220;abomination&#8221;. She also said that homosexuals should seek counselling. John O&#8217;Doherty, Co-Chair [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mp-reported-to-police-over-gay-comments/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Commons vote ignores public opinion on NI age of consent</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/commons-vote-ignores-public-opinion-on-ni-age-of-consent/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/commons-vote-ignores-public-opinion-on-ni-age-of-consent/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:01:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jen Davis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Age of consent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and the family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=476</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The House of Commons has voted to lower the age of consent in Northern Ireland from 17 to 16 in spite of opposition from a majority of local politicians and the public. MPs voted by 279 to 6 in favour of the move, which comes as part of a draft sexual offences order laid by [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/commons-vote-ignores-public-opinion-on-ni-age-of-consent/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Public opinion ignored as NI age of consent lowered to 16</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/public-opinion-ignored-as-ni-age-of-consent-lowered-to-16/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/public-opinion-ignored-as-ni-age-of-consent-lowered-to-16/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Hewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Age of consent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and the family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=465</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Government at Westminster has today ignored the will of the people of Northern Ireland and its elected representatives by pushing ahead with plans to lower the age of consent. A draft sexual offences order was today laid in Parliament by Minister of State, Paul Goggins. It will reduce the age of consent to 16 [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/public-opinion-ignored-as-ni-age-of-consent-lowered-to-16/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Majority of MLAs oppose lower age of consent in NI</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/majority-of-mlas-oppose-lower-age-of-consent-in-ni/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/majority-of-mlas-oppose-lower-age-of-consent-in-ni/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Hewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Age of consent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and the family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most MLAs (55) have signed up to a &#8216;no day named&#8217; motion at Stormont opposing plans to lower the age of consent from 17 to 16 in Northern Ireland. It is the most supported NDN motion currently at Stormont. Earlier this month newspapers published a poll showing that three quarters (73 per cent) of the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/majority-of-mlas-oppose-lower-age-of-consent-in-ni/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cross-party opposition to lower age of consent in NI</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cross-party-opposition-to-lower-age-of-consent-in-ni/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cross-party-opposition-to-lower-age-of-consent-in-ni/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Hewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Age of consent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and the family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=447</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A cross-party group of MLAs has joined leading voluntary organisations in urging the Northern Ireland Office to abandon unpopular plans to lower the age of consent in the Province. A letter calling on First Minister Ian Paisley to resist the move was signed by representatives from the DUP, UUP, SDLP and Alliance Party. They were [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cross-party-opposition-to-lower-age-of-consent-in-ni/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Public against lowering age of consent in Northern Ireland</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/public-against-lowering-age-of-consent-in-northern-ireland/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/public-against-lowering-age-of-consent-in-northern-ireland/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:00:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Hewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Age of consent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and the family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=433</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Three quarters (73 per cent) of the public oppose plans to lower the age of consent in Northern Ireland, a new poll shows. The survey was conducted at the weekend by polling company, ComRes, on behalf of The Christian Institute. The Northern Ireland Office is proposing to lower the age of consent from 17 to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/public-against-lowering-age-of-consent-in-northern-ireland/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>PM fails to give assurance on abortion in Northern Ireland</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pm-fails-to-give-assurance-on-abortion-in-northern-ireland/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pm-fails-to-give-assurance-on-abortion-in-northern-ireland/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Hewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Embryos Bill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=421</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gordon Brown has refused to promise that the Government will oppose any &#8220;backdoor&#8221; attempt to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland. Instead, the Prime Minister said it was up to MPs to decide and he didn&#8217;t think they would want to change the law in the Province. Mr Brown was responding to a question from Northern [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pm-fails-to-give-assurance-on-abortion-in-northern-ireland/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Stormont says keep age of consent at 17</title>
		<link>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/stormont-says-keep-age-of-consent-at-17/</link>
		<comments>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/stormont-says-keep-age-of-consent-at-17/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Hewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Age of consent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage & family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and the family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.christian.org.uk/news/?p=365</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Northern Ireland Assembly has unanimously voted in favour of a report which recommends keeping the age of consent at 17. Criminal law for Northern Ireland remains in the control of the Westminster Government and it wants to lower the age of consent to 16 in the Province, bringing it into line with the rest [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.christian.org.uk/news/stormont-says-keep-age-of-consent-at-17/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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