Opinion

When will Northern Ireland’s ‘living resurrection’ come about?

Christian Churches quote the bible in conversing about ‘living resurrection’ – finding that great human spirit of good or divine energy which rises beyond the drudgery and suffering of daily life for so many; the mother who finds extraordinary strength to save her son or daughter; sudden wake-up calls which can inspire; the abandoning of conventional failed ways of thinking and doing; by taking steps to get the misery out of lives with complications which are the product of an over-sophisticated way driven by technology and excessive material needs. But where is this living resurrection in politics and the evils which need to be overcome?


We have been slowly desensitised and inured to accept an abnormal society full of troubles both personal and sociological. The living resurrection has been tamed and contained. People are blinded by routine and dogmas and question nothing. Things which should be completely unacceptable have become the norm. Violence is a constant feature of our society spilling over into daily murders, stabbings, beatings, shootings, intimidation and frauds. Bomb alerts in Northern Ireland are common place and almost part of the silverware and household china. Of course it represents a sick and despicable way of living – but why are thousands not marching in the streets for its end? This day might come and we should not rule it out  but it seems things have to get very bad before any action is taken.


Terrorism was at its height before the Downing Street Declaration was signed and got the ball rolling for the peace process – though serious problems remain. It seems man must go way down before he can rise up or find the strength to overcome or try to overcome the evil and trouble around him. Churches admit that their teaching is struggling in a modern society.


The Christian Churches are very old churches and based on a basic way of life, not a modern existence beleaguered with worries and cares. Life can be more than a merry-go-round of misery. Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant Churches should embrace the idea of their ‘living resurrection’ along with politicians and adopt this teaching which both Churches espouse to but have yet to achieve. When will Northern Ireland’s living resurrection come about? When will its partisan communities chiefly divided by religion have its living resurrection through Christ from within? Is society quite happy with the way things are in relishing its misery?

MAURICE FITZGERALD


Shanbally, Co Cork

In a FF-led republic Irish may have to take to boats again

There is a rumour afoot that the SDLP is to leave the scene in Northern Ireland and let Fianna Fáil freely campaign in the north. If that is so that is the end of John Hume’s agreed Ireland. Republicans will hold sway as a minority in Northern Ireland and republicans and unionists cannot agree on anything.

After De Valera’s Fianna Fáil party passed the Eire Constitution the people took to the boats and fled to England looking for work as De Valera’s Eire was so much economic dead-wood because the three-fold nature of freedom, namely freedom from; freedom to become and freedom to be weren’t recognised. In England the Irish were once more under English rule but it was for the most part an acceptable rule. John Hume in his economic thinking recognised the three-fold nature of freedom in his comment you cannot eat a flag – recognising that the person can become hungry and can aspire to do something about it and that a person can be hungry and the state has a duty to do something about it.


De Valera’s Eire Fianna Fáil constitution failed dismally to fulfil that duty. In a new Fianna Fáil-led Irish Republic the Irish may have to take to the boats again if they are to find freedom in any true fulfilling sense.

If the SDLP is to have any sense of destiny they must seek to find an agreed Ireland in reforming the kingdom in relation to Ireland ratified at Westminster. 

MICHAEL GILLESPIE


Kilfennan, Derry

Political promises

With less than a month until the Republic votes on the abortion question, it is perhaps profitable to come to terms with a decision which would see it repealed.

It comes down to the fact that the Irish people would be effectively giving the government permission to make decisions regarding abortion, euthanasia etc, in an arbitrary fashion in the future, without referring to the Irish people.

So, while Leo Varadker, and Simon Covney tell us that it is only up to 12 weeks if it’s repealed, they or any future administration could push abortion up to and including birth.


In calling for choice the abortion advocates will effectively give this to the politicians and away from the electorate.


Has not the eight million abortion deaths in the UK shown us the political promises for abortion to be safe and rare is nothing more than snakeoil?


That more than 100,000 lives have been saved due to the Eighth Amendment, should mean something, while according to the Dáil, in actuality, it’s the opposite.

JDP McALLION 


Clonoe, Co Tyrone

Respect dignity of life

Patrick Murphy (April 21) claimed that the forthcoming referendum was about a political rather than a religious issue. In fact it concerns much more than either a political or a religious issue. In the referendum people are, in effect, urged to approve not simply abortion in exceptional cases but a wide-ranging right to abortion. We are invited to make the abortion of innocent unborn babies legal. Hence the referendum is essentially a humanity issue.  What is at stake is whether or not one respects the dignity and the right to life of each person, each human being.

J ANTHONY GAUGHAN


Blackrock, Co Dublin

Intriguing mystery

I am writing to ask for some help in getting information on a William Auckinleek Robinson JP (1830-1884), stockbroker in Belfast and builder of Culloden House – specifically, parents, siblings and definite death date.

I have an ancestor, William A Robinson, who was a stockbroker with ‘WA  Robinson & Newett Stockbrokers’ in the 1800s in Belfast. I am trying to connect the two men to see if there is any relationship or maybe they are the same man.

If anyone has information they can contact me at bhastings@eastlink.ca

BONNIE HASTINGS


15 Beausoleil Road, Southampton, Ontario, Canada N0H2L0 

Expression of thanks

I’m writing to thank the public for their support and donations on my recent street collection in Belfast City Centre on behalf of the charity Meningitis Now where I raised £257 on January 20 and £306 on February 17. Once again I’d like to thank the public for all donations raised.

MATTHEW CROMIE


Belfast