Taoiseach praises Church leaders for peace building in North

Taoiseach praises Church leaders for peace building in North Former Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Church leaders were praised for their “ongoing contribution to peace building” in the North by Taoiseach Micheál Martin following a meeting yesterday.

The Taoiseach and Church leaders also agreed they “look forward to the time when church services and other in-person activities can resume”.

Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin, Church of Ireland Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop John McDowell, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Dr David Bruce, President of the Methodist Church Dr Tom McKnight and President of the Irish Council of Churches Dr Ivan Patterson were in attendance.

In the meeting they discussed the violence in Northern Ireland, including “a shared and grave concern at recent incidents of violence on the streets”.

They agreed that the causes of the recent violence are complex but said it is “essential that calm, measured and positive leadership be exercised at every level – political, civic and community, for all the people of Northern Ireland”.

In the meeting they also discussed the complexities and sensitivities around implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the commitment to uphold the Good Friday Agreement.

The statement continued: “The Taoiseach and Church Leaders recognised the 1921 centenaries as profoundly important and sensitive moments in engaging with the shared history of these islands and agreed that it would be important to promote a sensitive, inclusive and respectful approach in the marking of those centenaries still to come.”

They spoke of issues relating to “social cohesion” and that in building towards a recovery following the pandemic, no one should be left behind.

The Taoiseach and Church leaders agreed the pandemic has “posed challenges for all of our citizens in terms of their mental health and wellbeing and recognised the importance of faith to the spiritual and mental well-being of many people and communities and look forward to the time when church services and other in-person activities can resume”.

This comes two weeks after Archbishop Eamon Martin said the Government in the south has been neglecting the spiritual wellbeing of the Faithful on RTÉ Radio 1’s News at One on April 2.

 Asked whether people’s spiritual well-being has been neglected by Government, Archbishop Martin said “I think it has been”.

“I think throughout the pandemic we’ve been very much aware about the importance of mental and emotional and physical well-being,” he continued.

 “But I think also as people of faith we believe we need to nurture our spiritual health… the virus doesn’t just threaten us physically and emotionally and mentally, it also has the potential to shake us spiritually.

 “I do feel that people of faith, believers and those for whom attending Mass and worship and the sacraments together is important, they would find a great deep hunger and need for the sacraments.”