Belfast, Northern Ireland, Feb 27, 2020 / 16:59 pm
While Northern Ireland has long faced religious disputes, an ecumenical celebration of Ash Wednesday was held at a Catholic church in Belfast this year, in which Presbyterian, Anglican, and Methodist ministers participated.
Ken Newell, a former Presbyterian Moderator; Elizabeth Hanna, a retired Church of Ireland minister; and Robin Waugh, a Methodist minister, all received ashes at the Feb. 26 service at St. Mary's Church.
Fr. Tim Bartlett led the service. Afterwards, he said it was a "deeply moving" experience.
Fr. Martin Magill, pastor of St. John's parish, helped to organize the event.