The Irish sky

On Tuesday 8th May 2007 the people of Ireland woke up to a day that witnessed the beginning of a new era of peace and healing on the island. A decades old conflict between two communities in Northern Ireland with roots in centuries of disagreement and violence between the Irish and the British was showing sure signs of coming to closure. This new era of optimism was central to the thoughts of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his address to the Irish Bishops during their 2006 Ad Limina pilgrimage. Pope Benedict said: “Allow me to add an observation that is close to my heart. For many years, Christian representatives of all denominations, political leaders and many men and women of good will have been involved in seeking means to ensure a brighter future for Northern Ireland. Although the path is arduous, much progress has been made in recent times. It is my prayer that the committed efforts of those concerned will lead to the creation of a society marked by a spirit of reconciliation, mutual respect and willing cooperation for the common good of all”. After almost 40 years of horrific conflict the minds and hearts of the newly commissioned leaders of Northern Ireland were turning to healing, reconciliation and a better future. The lives of 3,700 people lost in the last four decades and the thousand more left physically and emotionally damaged were recalled as DUP leader Dr Paisley and Sinn Fein Deputy Leader Martin McGuinness respectively were appointed First Minister and Deputy First Minister to lead a Northern Executive of 10 Ministers. The sadness and fallout of the years of tribulation were giving way to the bright promise of a new future. It was as if the prophetic words spoken by Pope John Paul II in Drogheda close to Northern Ireland border during his 1979 pilgrimage to our country had finally found fulfilment among the people he so directly addressed: “Violence is a lie, for it goes against the truth of our faith, the truth of our humanity, the life, the freedom of human beings. Violence is a crime against humanity, for it destroys the very fabric of society … On my knees I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and to return to the ways of peace … Let history record that at a difficult moment in the experience of the people of Ireland, the Bishop of Rome set foot in your land, that he was with you and prayed with you for peace and reconciliation, for the victory of justice and love over hatred and violence”. For many who lived through the last four decades of Irish history, the so called troubles, the events of Wednesday May 8th 2007 bordered on the unbelievable. Up to recently it would have been considered impossible that the Democratic Unionist Party, whose objective is to maintain links with the British Crown, and the Sinn Fein party, whose objective is for a United Ireland, would enter into a collaborative power sharing government. But this is now the case. An epic change has taken place in the thinking and political strategy of the parties to the Northern Ireland peace accord. Wednesday 8th May 2007 is unquestionably a significant moment in Hiberno-British relations and in the history of unionism and nationalism. It is an appropriate climax to the long and often heartbreaking negotiations on the way to this point. Many ask if this agreement and new beginning will work. There is no reason that it should not. The executive has the blessing and the support of the main parties in Stormont, of the Irish and British Governments, of the European Institutions, and the US administration. It is also a model for how divided societies throughout the world can overcome their differences. Over the years the Christian churches and particularly the Catholic Church in Ireland has played a vital role, in an inconspicuous way, in trying to broker and maintain peace on the island. The meeting between Archbishop Sean Brady, Primate of All Ireland, and the DUP Leader Dr. Ian Paisley on October 2006 was not only the first meeting of its kind but it heralded a new era of trust and dialogue between the two main traditions in Northern Ireland, Catholic and Protestant. This meeting was a prelude to the political success of this week. This week in a joint statement, Archbishop Sean Brady, along with the other Christian Church Leaders on the Island looking said the following looking to the future: “On this historic day we express appreciation to all politicians who have taken courageous steps towards creating a society of stability and peace. We recognise that much work still remains if all people in Northern Ireland are to share the future together. We are especially aware of those for whom the pain of the past is a constant living reality. As Church Leaders we invite Christian people to give thanks to God for all that has been accomplished and to pray that guidance and courage might be given to those who lead our community in the days ahead”.