Irish Church Leaders: Covid-19 and Brexit remind us of our interconnectedness
By Lisa Zengarini
The pandemic of 2020 has served to remind us of our interconnectedness as human beings, the four leaders of Ireland鈥檚 main Christian denominations and the president of the Irish Council of Churches say in their joint New Year Message.
According to the Church leaders, the 鈥渃ollective response鈥 to the crisis by all members of society and entities, including Churches, is a 鈥渞eminder that everyone has the potential to benefit others鈥.
Faith: a source of strength and support
The message also reminds that faith has been 鈥渁 source of strength and support鈥 to many throughout this difficult time: 鈥淐lergy, ministers, priests and lay people of faith have responded with compassion and imagination to the challenges of the pandemic, with online services, pastoral support and provision of opportunities for prayer鈥, the Christian leaders write.
They also point out the 鈥渘ew challenges and opportunities鈥 awaiting Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2021, namely the changes brought by Brexit which, they say, 鈥渁re another powerful reminder of that interconnectedness鈥. 鈥淭he new context that Brexit brings demands a commitment to working together in constructive ways鈥, the message stresses.
Northern Ireland centenary
Recalling that the coming year also marks the centenary of the foundation of Northern Ireland and of Partition in 1921 and recognizing that people will look at this recurrence from different perspectives, the four Church leaders say that the centenary 鈥渙pens up opportunities for greater understanding of each other, for further healing and reconciliation between our communities鈥. According to them, it also provides the opportunity 鈥渢o reflect together on the failings of relationships and use of violence across the whole island鈥 which have marred its past and 鈥渨hich in some ways continue to cast a shadow on the present鈥.
Connected to the global community
The message furthermore emphasizes that interconnectedness extends beyond our own communities to the global community, especially to those who live in poverty, whose daily challenges have been made even greater by the COVID-19 crisis. 鈥淛esus鈥 reminder to love our neighbour is particularly relevant in this context鈥, the leaders write , adding that: 鈥淚n our united commitment to be good neighbours we play our part as servants of the Gospel in building communities and a society in which all know that they are significant and in which all can prosper鈥.
鈥淎s we begin this new year we point to the hope that is made real as we recognise that we are interconnected and work together to build a better future鈥 and 鈥渁s Christian leaders we stand within the hope which has been made known in Jesus (鈥) who is the light of the world鈥, the message concludes.
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