The Northern Area Committee (NAC) is a sub-committee of the Council of Directors of The Order Of The Knights Of St. Columbanus, to whom they are ultimately accountable. The NAC is formed from Provincial Areas 2, 3, 4 and 10 which covers the Archdiocese of Armagh and six other Diocese namely Clogher, Derry, Down & Connor, Dromore, Kilmore & Raphoe. Its main role is to support the Primary and Provincial Councils in the more Northerly part of Ireland. This was set up due to the difference in legislation and issues that were/are predominately found in the North of Ireland. Matters such as Civil Rights, Religious Discrimination, employment discrimination etc.
The membership of the NAC consists of all Primary Council Grand Knights and Deputies, Provincial Grand Knights and Deputies from the four Northern Areas as highlighted. Subsequently this is where the NAC draws its Executive Management team.
The Executive team is made up of four Executive Officers. The present Chairman is Michael Delaney, supported by Vice Chairman Joe Reid, Secretary Peter Brogan and Treasurer Liam McFerran.
Historical projects have included the funding of pre-neonatal scanner for Stanton Health Care, enabling an effective scanning and advice service to those women contemplating abortion.
Attending Pro-Life rallies, both in Belfast and more recently, Dublin.
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Brothers in attendance at a Pro-Life rally in Belfast
In Education it has provided funds for the refurbishment of school oratories in several post-primary schools and colleges and has funded the QUB Chaplaincy’s retreat project enabling potential entrants into university the opportunity to see what life is like and what support is available to young Catholics entering third level education for the first time. This project is also supported by the QUB Council of Knights CK19 based in the Catholic Chaplaincy.
The NAC is also at the forefront of promoting vocations among Catholic men and women and are in consultation with all the Vocational Directors within the four Areas of the NAC.
As an Executive we are aware of the speed at which the secular society/environment we live in today is changing constantly throwing up new challenges giving rise to our efforts to restore all things in Christ.
Presently there are three very active sub-committees, working tirelessly in the areas of Pro-Life, Education and finally, Vocations. As an Executive we constantly encourage members to address/lobby new areas of concern and ultimately bring them to a positive outcome in line with the aims of the Order and ultimately the teachings of the Catholic Church. In the past the NAC has lobbied Stormont and local Government level in areas such as employment, Anti-Abortion, Catholic education and all religious hatred and discrimination, to name but a few. It has been actively protesting the introduction of new abortion legislation in both the North of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
As an Executive we are aware of the speed at which the secular society/environment we live in today is changing constantly throwing up new challenges giving rise to our efforts to restore all things in Christ.
Its recent projects have included the funding of pre-neotal scanners for Precious Life, enabling an effective scanning and advice service to those women contemplating abortion.
In education it has provided funds for the refurbishment of school oratories in several post-primary schools and colleges and has funded the QUB Chaplaincy’s retreat project enabling potential entrants into University the opportunity to see what life is like and what support is available to young Catholics entering third level education for the first time. This project is also support by the QUB Council of Knights CK19.
The NAC is also at the forefront of promoting vocations among Catholic men and women and are about to start production on a promotional DVD and online presence to promote and encourage participation in all vocations.