STORY - "Giving peace a chance in Northern Ireland."
By Tracey Edstein.

Working in conflict resolution in Northern Ireland could seem like swimming with sharks daily, but Rev Ken Newell, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland , would be unlikely to draw that comparison because it demonises one section of humanity. A key principle of his work is the absolute necessity of knowing and understanding ‘the other'.

Rev Newell visited the Hunter in April, as the guest of his friend, Rev David Campbell, of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newcastle . His visit was sponsored by local Christian churches and Action of Churches Together in Solidarity (ACTS). Of particular interest was Rev Newell's pioneering work with Fr Gerry Reynolds CSsR of Clonard Monastery in Belfast . Together they have developed the Fitzroy-Clonard Fellowship, which brings together in a unique way a Presbyterian Church in South Belfast and a Catholic Church in West Belfast .

Ken and his wife Val found Australia welcoming, beautiful and vast, and the autumnal sunshine impressed too! The affection that so many Australians have for Ireland was apparent to them, and Ken found the notion of the “colonial grandparent” alive and well. A strong sense of place pervades his thought and conversation, perhaps most strongly when he is away from ‘his place'.

Ken's work in conflict resolution and peace-building has garnered much international recognition, perhaps most notably the Pax Christi International Peace Award for peace-building and reconciliation initiatives at grass roots level in Belfast . The Fitzroy-Clonard Fellowship is a major achievement of neighbouring Presbyterian and Catholic communities, and yet the means it uses would be familiar to anyone who has been involved in parish life. And that can be a minefield anywhere!

While the initial focus was on interchurch bible study and prayer, the members of the Fellowship now engage in an annual weekend together, reconciliation services, social gatherings, small group home meetings, and perhaps most importantly, “ongoing dialogue with members of groups involved in the cultural and political life of Northern Ireland ”. As Ken says, “We're a forum for making things happen, even though there are only 40 of us.” The reality of life in Northern Ireland is reinforced by the fact that together, members of the Fellowship visit the homes of people who have been murdered. For more information, visit www.clonard.com/clonfitz.htm

A dream that Ken holds onto is the notion of seminarians of one denomination spending some of their formation time working with another denomination. He believes firmly that if a minister is ‘opened' to an understanding of another community's ways, s/he in turn will open a congregation, which could open a village or a town, and in time, a whole country. This could go some way towards addressing what Ken calls “the culture of conflict” that is endemic in Northern Ireland .

There is a temptation perhaps to feel, in an Australian context, that while “the Troubles” are religious in origin and clearly require religious reconciliation, one's own parish, diocese or church may have enough ‘troubles' of its own. Ken's response to this notion was unequivocal: “If you think about your parish, you can live comfortably within your parish, but if you meet Jesus Christ, he'll take you outside your parish boundaries.”

Rev Newell warns against giving in to the “honey, I shrunk the church” temptation. He believes that faith can be domesticated, but that is not what the gospel is about. This applies also to his understanding of Eucharist. As he said to a group of local church leaders, If Jesus died on the cross for us, why on earth would he say ‘I can't give you my body and my blood'?”

A practical suggestion for promoting friendship and understanding among churches is what he calls “ecclesiastical tithing”. “One Sunday in ten, go to worship at the church down the road. Go to Mass early, and then go to worship at the local Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian church. So much can blossom if you make that connection.”

Every month Fr Gerry of the Redemptorist monastery near Ken's Presbyterian community takes a group of “unity pilgrims” to worship at the Protestant churches on the Shankill Road .” This is the kind of initiative that convinces Ken that peace is not merely possible, but happening. He is fond of this analogy: “It takes a long time to melt an iceberg. The best way is not to ram it, but to drag it into warmer water.” He is dragging as fast as he can!

Back to Aurora Homepage