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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
UK News

Christian councillor: Pope Francis is not welcome in Ireland

by Aaron James

John Finlay (above), DUP councillor for Ballymoney, is speaking after it was announced last month the pontiff would be visiting the Republic of Ireland in 2018.

It's assumed Pope Francis will cross the border and visit Northern Ireland as well during his time there. Northern Ireland's First Minister and Christian, Arlene Foster, has said she will welcome him personally if he does visit. She leads the DUP - John Finlay's party.

The last time pontiff to visit the Republic of Ireland was Pope John Paul II in 1979, however he was unable to cross the border to visit Northern Ireland.

Many Christians see Pope Francis' visit as a symbol of increasing unity and peace between Catholics and Protestants there after decades of militant fighting in The Troubles.

John Finlay wrote in the Belfast Newsletter: "As an evangelical Protestant, I will not be welcoming a papal visit, and I know I am not alone.

"Despite all the pandering to the Pope by senior figures in the main Protestant denominations, the fact remains that many within the Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Methodist churches are totally opposed to the Pope's claims and teachings, and to any visit.

"It is imperative that all evangelical Protestants in church and state speak out clearly against the planned 2018 visit."

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