I was on Shannonside/Northern Sound radio today on the Joe Finnegan Show. It is a very popular radio show and that is why I accepted the invitation to take part. He was interviewing me about the Border Communities Against Brexit rallies on Saturday 8 October at various places along the border. I was asked by a number of local people from various backgrounds to act as spokesperson for the Fermanagh group. During the radio interview Joe Finnegan decided to make me the story rather than Brexit. He remarked that I was known as a ‘political priest’-and there were not too many of those around. I suppose he meant there have not been as many outspoken as I have been over the years about justice issues relating to the northern conflict. He asked me if I was involved in the Anti-Brexit campaign for pastoral or political reasons. His question took me unawares. I said that I was involved primarily for pastoral reasons and because for me it is a human rights issue since most of the people in the north voted to Remain in the EU and I believed that their wish should be respected. I added that it is indeed a political issue as well.
I do not really like when I become the story -rather than the messenger about the issue. After the interview Joe’s question made me think about how I, as a priest, am perceived and how I understand my own role as a priest campaigning on justice issues. I know, from long experience, that people on all sides of the religious divide have confused my roles. I have been accused of being politically partisan when I have taken up justice issues relating to the prisoners or relating to border roads etc. My primary concern has always been and still is justice and human rights. It is about upholding the dignity of human persons and it is about defending communities under attack especially from governments. That concern is central to Church teaching and has been very central in the teaching of Pope Francis. I think that as a priest I am obliged to take on these issues. I have often said that those who remain silent are also being political. By their silence, they are accepting the status quo. It is a great pity that more priests are not speaking out on justice issues. I have always admired Fr Des Wilson for taking a stand against injustice. I admire Fr Peter McVerry for his stance on homelessness and injustice. I am always ready to take on injustice wherever I see it. I am ready to stick my neck out and suffer the consequences. That’s what the gospel is about and that is what priests, in my view, are expected to do. They are called to be witnesses and to speak the truth. If that is seen as political so be it. The truth is the most important and speaking out on behalf of the people is a duty – not an option.
I have learned much from the example of Des Wilson and from another priest who died this year, Fr Daniel Berrigan, about the role of the priest in the world of today. I am inspired by the witness of priests like Oscar Romero and Jerzy Popieluszko and many others who gave their lives in the cause of justice and truth. I regard Martin Luther King Jnr as a martyr in the cause of justice. If these priests had kept quiet they would not have been killed but they had a conscience and they had courage. I have aspired to emulate these priests. If I am questioned or labelled because of this stance, that is part of the cost of discipleship.
“My primary concern has always been and still is justice and human rights. It is about upholding the dignity of human persons and it is about defending communities under attack especially from governments.”
Why then defend the Provisional IRA, an organisation guilty of inflicting appalling injustices and human rights abuses on people, and of attacking communities?
MT a chara,
I think your comment is unfair and untrue. Fr. Joe has fought injustice wherever he has found it and has not been afraid to afford criticism where necessary of any organisation including the Provisional IRA.
However, it is worth remembering that the Provos were created as a direct result of the injustices and discrimination of an artificial state that waged a war against the minority community from its foundation in 1922.
I don’t think that the Provos were at Burntollet Bridge in Jan 1969 or initiated the burning out of 1500 homes in Bombay Street in Aug 1969 but were very necessary for the defense of the community and St. Matthews Church in June in Aug. 1970.
I am not an apologist for the Provos but let’s recognise the genesis of the ‘Troubles. Moreover, let us agree it is time to re-built a new society that encompasses all the people of Ireland. Ultimately, it should move to reunification of the island, where the cornerstone of that society would implement and recognise the words of the 1916 Proclamation
“pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally”
JB
“I think your comment is unfair and untrue. Fr. Joe has fought injustice wherever he has found it and has not been afraid to afford criticism where necessary of any organisation including the Provisional IRA.”
Have you read his articles on this site?
“However, it is worth remembering that the Provos were created as a direct result of the injustices and discrimination of an artificial state that waged a war against the minority community from its foundation in 1922.”
It wasn’t an artificial state and it didn’t wage a war. Injustices and discrimination don’t justify murder and human rights abuses.
“I don’t think that the Provos were at Burntollet Bridge in Jan 1969 or initiated the burning out of 1500 homes in Bombay Street in Aug 1969 but were very necessary for the defense of the community and St. Matthews Church in June in Aug. 1970.”
Absence from Burntollet or Bombay Street doesn’t justify murder or human rights abuses.
The ‘defence’ of St Matthew’s chapel has turned out to be something of a myth, with the HET finding that the PIRA were the aggressors. http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/Sunday_Times/arts2010/jun13_2_sides_tear_myth_apart__LClarke.php.
“I am not an apologist for the Provos”
You could have fooled me.
Hugh
Maybe you could refer us to any link detailing Fr Joes criticisms of the Provisional I R A.
God bless you and your work Joe. Priests that see justice and human rights as part of their ministry help people like me to stay with the church.
“Why then defend the Provisional IRA, an organisation guilty of inflicting appalling injustices and human rights abuses on people, and of attacking communities?”
Yawn.
Why then defend the British army and the it’s State, a state guilty of inflicting appalling injustices and human rights abuses on people, and of attacking communities?(and that’s putting it nicely)
“Why then defend the British army and the it’s State, a state guilty of inflicting appalling injustices and human rights abuses on people, and of attacking communities?(and that’s putting it nicely)”
He doesn’t defend the army and ‘it’s [sic] state’: only the PIRA.
“He doesn’t defend the army and ‘it’s [sic] state’: only the PIRA.”
Eh, but you do.
“I am always ready to take on injustice wherever I see it…That’s what the gospel is about…”
That statement in itself might explain why we disagree.
Matthew: Ch: 5-7
I didn’t deny that.
Or to put it another way, Dominic, if the gospel is only about ‘taking on injustice’ then it will have overlooked the most intriguing and most uncomfortable, yet most magnanimous aspect of the Good News: forgiveness for the oppressor.
It’s relatively easy to fight injustice; its a lot more difficult to forgive your enemy.
Sorry PF my post wasn’t a response to your post but Joe McVeigh’s. I think Matthew Ch: 5-7 is at the heart of discipleship: Even atheists tackle injustices, do they not?
Apologies for the misunderstanding, Dominic.
“I think Matthew Ch: 5-7 is at the heart of discipleship: Even atheists tackle injustices, do they not?”
I agree.
The war is over, the orange state has failed and is discredited. The IRA have disbanded. Much as we may debate the past and continue mutual recriminations – live moves on. This is visible in the optomism of our youth.
We must agree to build on and support this optimism for a new generation . The Good Friday agreement as a stepping stone will facilitate this new generation in a progressive way.
Truth and honesty by the British especially, are necessary if as a society are to move on from the past.
JB
“The war is over”
It wasn’t a war.
“the orange state has failed and is discredited”
Not at all.
“The IRA have disbanded.”
That’s good news.
“This is visible in the optomism of our youth.”
You’re probably overstating. I’ll rewrite that, you are overstating: Global conflict, global terrorism, student debt, economic crisis, political instability…You should talk to someone from the now-called ‘Generation Z’.
“The Good Friday agreement as a stepping stone”
The Belfast Agreement was an agreement, not a “stepping stone”.
“Truth and honesty…are necessary”
Truth from everyone is important.
“by the British especially”
Why me especially? But if me especially, that would imply that Republicans are holding back on something. What do you think that is?