Church leaders' concern over 'darkness, pain and sorrow of war and violence'
A warning that current generations may need to accept having less for ourselves so that future generations “may have something”, and concern over "the darkness, pain and sorrow of war and violence” form two of the major points addressed by the leaders of Ireland’s Christian churches in their joint 2025 New Year’s message.
The statement by Archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell, Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of All Ireland; the Revd Dr John Alderdice, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; the Rt Revd Sarah Groves, President of the Irish Council of Churches; and the Rt Revd Dr Richard Murray, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland expresses the hope that the language of hurt and division may be confined to the past “so that the words we use, and the actions we undertake, may be focused on love rather than hate, peace rather than war, light rather than darkness”.
The message notes that this year marks a quarter of a century since the new millennium began.
“The world we had hoped to see emerging in this new era, with people living at peace with their neighbours, and with more kindness and respect, has sadly not been realised,” the leaders commented, adding that instead, we are now living on a planet that is shrouded in the darkness, pain and sorrow of war and violence in so many different places.
“Calls for peace, reconciliation and love for our neighbours have been ignored or unheard.”
Politics
Looking to the domestic situation, the church leaders commented that they were grateful to have witnessed the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland in the last year, with the Executive and the Assembly sitting once more at Stormont.
They also looked forward to seeing a new Irish Government formed following the November Irish General Election and noted that the new UK Government is also slowly bedding in and nearing the completion of its first six months in power.
“To govern means making decisions and often difficult choices. We continue to pray for all who hold positions of responsibility in this land and throughout the world, that they may be acutely aware of the needs of all people and especially of the poor, neglected and underprivileged, mindful particularly of the high rates of child poverty,” the leaders stated.
They continued: “We will have failed our children and grandchildren if we do not work strenuously to help and support the needs of the next generation, which may mean being prepared to have less for ourselves so that they may have something. May we all, in our call to serve one another, provide a voice for the voiceless and work tirelessly for healing and peace locally and internationally, offering help, hope and encouragement to those who will come after us.
Words
The statement from the leaders goes on to express the hope that the language of hurt and division may be confined to the past so that the words we use, and the actions we undertake, may be focused on love rather than hate, peace rather than war, light rather than darkness.
“We believe that our beginnings and our endings are in Jesus Christ. In faith we never journey alone, for He is our guide and the voice of truth and hope. May we all journey well in 2025, and ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ Romans 15:13.”