Northern Ireland: violence, unrest and simmering conflict

What is happening in Northern Ireland and what role are evangelical Christians playing in helping to bring Christ into this situation?

Recently the BBC reported a police raid in Belfast. As part of an operation against the loyalist east Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force, six guns, ammunition, two pipe bombs and two smoke grenades were discovered at a house occupied by brothers William and Robin Baker. They were arrested and charged with possessing guns and explosives with intent to endanger life. There have been many other such examples over the past few months.

For those who thought the ‘troubles’ (as they were known) had come to an end after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the recent spate of violence may have come as something of a surprise. Evangelicals Now asked David Smyth, Head of the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland and Rev’d Willie Nixon of Drumbeg Parish Church, Belfast, for their assessments of the situation: 

EN: To what extent has the violence been caused by the political deadlock at Stormont?

DS: There is no doubt that the protocol has caused much unrest in loyalist communities but thankfully it has not descended to violence against Catholics, the state or republican paramilitaries as during the troubles. 

WN: It does create strains which simmer under the surface. The Democratic Unionist Party must take great care that their ongoing refusal to re-enter government does not stoke ‘loyalist’ tensions. Candidly, I believe the DUP risks acting irresponsibly [and] may well create suspicion and foreboding between the extreme elements of both the loyalist and nationalist communities.

EN: What other factors might be at play, do you think? Political, social, economic?

DS: Much of the violence and unrest on both sides occurs in areas of chronic economic deprivation, often those that were most affected during the troubles and where peace dividends have not been realised. There is also often a disconnect with political leadership and a suspicion of civil bodies like churches and political institutions.

WN: In the poorest communities the cost of living crisis is most keenly felt, which often leads to the government being blamed for the poverty. Social benefit payments are having to do more and go further. This again stokes tensions in communities where poverty and deprivation run high.

EN: Would the violence end if the Protocol issue could be sorted out?

DS: No, not as such. The mood in loyalists communities may well settle if they think the protocol issues are resolved satisfactorily. However, the violence in dissident republican communities is not related to the protocol. It is about long term, armed opposition to British rule in Ireland.

WN: I am suspicious that the DUP and other anti-protocol voices are seeking to use the ‘threat’ of an upsurge in violence to muster support in their desire to replace the protocol.

EN: What more could the UK government be doing, in the circumstances?

DS: There is no doubt that settling the issues around the protocol would be helpful for everyone in Northern Ireland. It is likely that an Executive could then be formed or some local negotiations could take place. 

WN: The protocol is one of many issues which if sorted would help to keep violence off the streets of Belfast but is by no means the only issue we need to address.  

EN: How have churches in NI been impacted by the violence?

DS: Many churches have not been directly impacted by the recent violence in Northern Ireland. There is often a gap between the Church and the communities where much of the violence occurs. However, police, victims, survivors and their families ex-combatants sit in pews across Northern Ireland. Churches and Christian leaders have been involved in peace-making efforts over the years and will continue to be so.

WN: For those Churches in the communities where tensions are high the impact is considerable. The Church in faithfulness to Scripture must always call for reconciliation. It is the Church which has been at the heart of this process for the past 50 years. This presents challenges to the local church, as the prophetic voice of peace and reconciliation is often poorly received by those whose agenda is to continue to fuel unrest and sectarian bigotry.
 

EN: What steps have they been taking to address the problem? With what success? 

DS: Despite some disconnect, local churches close to areas where violence erupts often provide diversionary activities for young people and pastoral care for the community. The task of peace-making and reconciliation is slow, long and difficult. It is essential that churches remain in this space as 2 Corinthians 5 ambassadors of the good reconciling news of the gospel.

WN: Churches have sought to become more involved in their communities. This is making a difference as clergy and elders become more visible in their communities. For the prophetic voice of the local church to be heard it needs to work ever more enthusiastically within their communities. Food Banks, Christians Against Poverty centres and very public pastoral care beyond the church doors have allowed the Church to take its place in local communities.