Whose side are the Churches on -the Rich and powerful or the Poor and Oppressed? – by Joe McVeigh

Like many Irish people who lived through the second half of the 21^st century, I know about State violence. We in the Catholic/Nationalist community in the north were on the receiving end of State violence in all its forms here in the 6 counties. The State forces were well paid and well equipped by the British government to keep control and manage law and order. They were employed here as elsewhere in the world to protect the wealth and power of the state –rather than protect all of the citizens. They engaged in all kinds of dirty tricks to maintain power and control.

To their shame, successive Dublin governments –FF and FG -stood idly by throughout those years of tyranny.

The policy of the British government since Partition was to subject the Catholic/Nationalist/republican people to a tyrannical regime which did not tolerate any form of dissent or any demand for justice. In order to do this, successive British governments used the pro-union section of the population to police and to inform, thus deepening divisions. This was British colonialism in action.

To their shame, successive Dublin governments-both FF and FG- turned a blind eye to what was happening to fellow citizens throughout those years of tyranny.

Poor people belonging to the working class, in most countries around the world, have had a similar experience of State violence -of unjust laws, brutal policing, discrimination and the destruction of their culture. Colonial powers used the old tactic of divide and conquer. 

The colonial powers became rich and wealthy as a result and united to control those who would object and struggle to recover what was unjustly and illegally taken from them. It was for the poor, a matter of survival. There are heroic stories of resistance fighters like Nelson Mandela who eventually won the struggle for justice and took back control from illegal government and big business.

It is obvious that some of the great Bible thumpers in this part of Ireland have never accepted the reality of State violence. They are very selective about what parts of the Bible they accept as the Word of God. Many of those in the DUP and UUP, who do not accept the historical reality, believe that the State is always justified in suppressing any form of rebellion. These parties have been created by the State and have been the main beneficiaries of the State. Some Unionists and Orangemen will never accept it because they prefer to live in a fantasy world in which they believe they are ‘the privileged people’. They believe they have a mighty military power at their back and God on their side. 

Those from the Catholic/nationalist community who grew up in the north-eastern six counties of Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s, know all about State violence.

Unlike the unionists, loyalists and pro-imperialists we understand what is happening today in Gaza where the Palestinians are being subjected by a ruthless government in Israel which is determined to expand their power and control no matter what the cost in terms of human lives. That ruthless government is being supported by the US government in Washington.

The State violence of the Zionists against the Palestinians is the Primary violence which led to the violence of the oppressed Palestinian people who have for generations been on the receiving end of State violence.  There is a huge moral difference between State violence and the response of the oppressed people who resort to armed struggle to end their persecution. 

In the Bible, Peace means the end of State violence. That should be the moral guiding principle for any Christian leader or indeed any Religious leader. There are some courageous Jewish religious leaders who have spoken out against the genocide of the Palestinians people by the Israeli State. 

The Christian churches in Ireland –mainly through their leaders -have yet to make this leap of faith and make a preferential option for the oppressed at home and throughout the world. Charity is not enough, given the systemic division between rich and poor. Working for Justice and Equality is required. Church and Religious leaders have been closely aligned with the State and the agents of the State-north and south. The Christian churches and their leaders must always make it clear that they are opposed to State violence in all its many forms. Only then will it be clear that they are no longer aligned with the rich and powerful or with the military might of the State. If ever there was need for clarity about this issue it is now.