Archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell call for dialogue amid unrest in Northern Ireland

Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop John McDowell have called for the urgent creation of a reconciling initiative to address rising tensions in Northern Ireland. In an ecumenical statement released September 27, the Catholic Primate of All Ireland and the Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Ireland urged all parties to use peaceful and democratic processes to find solutions.

The call for dialogue follows a standoff in Portadown, County Armagh, involving a march by the Protestant Orange Order. On September 27, thousands of protesters gathered to oppose the march as it was scheduled to pass through the Garvaghy Road, a main thoroughfare used by the Catholic community. While protesters dispersed that Sunday night, members of the Orange Order continued attempting the march until the early hours of Monday, September 28.

The archbishops warned that too much is at stake, stating they could not think of any time in the last 30 years when the commandment to love God and neighbor needs to be more urgently heard. They expressed a willingness to guide others on the way of peace to build a better future for all.