IN HIS stimulating column (July 19) Patrick Murphy correctly highlighted the dichotomy between English and Irish churchmen concerning social and economic issues. I thank Patrick for his challenge. Irish church men and women struggle with a great deal of institutional insecurity when asked to speak out.
The Irish church has not been a good example of transparency or indeed a credible advocate for social justice in the last few decades, as the courageous campaign by Savia into pandemic institutional abuse has served to illustrated.
We as a church have needed to take the beam out of our own vision, before giving moral advice or offering leadership to others.
That said, it is a matter of historical record that without the selfless actions and courage of Irish Christians - men like the late Rev Roy Magee, the late Fr Alex Reid, Archbishop Robin Eames, John Lampen, Brendan Duddy, Chris Hudson and a host of laity - Catholic, Protestant, Quaker and Dissenter - we would not be have had the historic ceasefires back in 1994. Ireland owes these Christians a massive debt of gratitude. Today's challenge to Irish Christians is that, having transformed the conflict, we must continue to provide the leadership and initiative to resolve it. We simply cannot afford to entrust our future to Patrick's unholy trinity of "politics, soap operas and advertising".
Dr JAMES WILSON
Coleraine, Co Derry
