Alliance Avenue

Reconciliation

Building Bridges Building Walls

On the 4th February 17 Passionists and friends from around our houses gathered in Crossgar. Scotland was well represented with Ailbe, Sr Maureen CP from Glasgow and four lay people. Present, too, were people from different denominations and backgrounds, one Church of Ireland Rector and his wife. The day was facilitated by Cecilia Clegg and Doug Baker from the Irish School of Ecumenics. Doug led the morning session when we explored the concept of 'The Other'. Who is 'the other' for me? Is it racial? The Aged/Young, those with different sexual orientation? Protestant? Other Faiths? Negative Identitites were discussed. The term 'non-Catholic' was example of this and is considered offensive. We don't say 'non-male' or non-female'.

Biblically we studied the Letter to the Hebrews and the story of the Temple and its various courtyards. It was there that our Passionist charism rooted us with Christ building bridges of compassion, creating meeting places for enrichment in diversity. Reconciliation in all its aspects is at the heart of our calling. After lunch Cecilia Clegg sent us off working creatively in groups. We discussed and shared on Sectarianism and Racialism. Sectarianism was understood as a system of beliefs, attitudes and structures and we named some of the mortar, rituals and practices that bind the three elements together. Here we drew on the richness of groups experiences and resourcefulness. In prayer together we made individual commitments to reach out to 'The Other' where we live in some small but significant way. The day was brought to close with a meal. Our thanks to Dermot and the community. In a thank you letter, our facilitators wrote "Please know that if we can be of further assistance in taking forward any of the topics opened or discussing the implications for ministry in particular communities, we would be willing to do so."

Dinner for Men Religious in Small Communities, Belfast:

On Wednesday 3rd March 18 religious met for a meal. This was the first meeting for those of us who live in small communities and who are not involved in parish or large church ministry. There are 31 religious men in these communities and 18 attended the meal. Vincentians, Jesuits, De La Salle, Christian Brothers, Capuchins, Franciscans, Passionists, Redemptorists, John of Gods, all met for a meal to express our fraternity and solidarity. We, Passionists, helped organise the meal and sponsored it. There was a great atmosphere of acceptance and enjoyment and all were keen that there be some follow up. Senan SJ, Raymond CFC, and Kenneth CP were entrusted with this task.

Other Items of Interest:

Work with the ex-combatants programme continues at Glencree. Community Dialogue - dialogue involving participants from around the North continues and will hold a residential in Drogheda which I will attend. Recently I joined the Methodist Committee for Reconciliation, this opens up further opportunities for bridge building. A new conversation was initiated with some loyalists and some religious under the banner of CORI NI. The conversations will continue. Both sides agreed that there would be no publicity as regards who attends or where the meetings take place. Both are free to share with others the fruit of the meetings. Please pray for all those involved. (Ken Brady CP)