Skip to main content

International Peacemaker Rev. Wilfred J. Orr to Speak at Westminster College

Posted on Monday, October 1, 2012

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - International Peacemaker The Rev. Wilfred J. Orr will be speaking in the Wallace Memorial Chapel on Friday, Oct. 5, at 11:40 a.m. and Sunday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. Both events are free to the public.

Orr, who served 33 years as the minister of Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church in south-east Belfast, will be talking about peace and justice issues from the perspective of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Ireland's history includes a significant period of violence between Protestant and Catholic communities in the country, known as "The Troubles." Orr has been a leading figure in the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship, located in the ethnically and culturally diverse Ballynafeigh neighborhood, and has worked tirelessly to promote both stronger ties between churches of all traditions in the area and between those from different cultural, social and political backgrounds. The proactive role played by the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship is viewed as significant in contributing to the area remaining one of the most balanced between Protestant/Unionist and Catholic/Nationalist populations in spite of the polarizing impact of "The Troubles."

Arranged through the denominational offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville, Ky., the International Peacemakers Program has been in existence for 25 years. International Peacemakers are leaders who are engaged in peacemaking in their own areas of the world. They are invited by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to visit with Presbyterians in the United States and to help Americans understand the peace and justice concerns of others around the world.

For additional information about the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, call 1-888-728-7228, extension 5784, or click here.

The Westminster College Office of Faith and Spirituality and the Presbytery of Shenango are sponsoring the events.  Contact the Office of Faith and Spirituality at (724) 946-7117 or click here for additional information.

The Rev. Wilfred J. Orr