The Church's Response?

Today I accompanied our site coordinator, Doug Baker, to a conference hosted by the Church of Ireland focusing on the church's role in peace and reconciliation. The event brought in Antoine Rutayisire, a pastor from Rwanda, to discuss his experience with reconciliation after his country's horrifying experience with genocide. Priests and pastors struggled with tough questions—what exactly should the church do in its current situation in Northern Ireland? Should reconciliation be left up to the government? What responsibility do they have as Christian leaders living in such a divided society? How exactly should the church practice peacemaking in the local community? What did Jesus mean when he said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"? It was a privilege to be a part of such an event, to witness genuine concern growing out of a commitment to the work and Word of Christ. I know now that despite the violence over the past week, there are still many who struggle against the tide to bring peace to their society. I hope that I can help them in some small way while I'm here, and that maybe I will learn more of their depth of faith in the face of situations that, at times, can seem so hopeless.