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Presbyterian Moderator Dr Russell Birney has told delegates at a peace conference that "to participate in peacemaking is to get to the heart of what it means to be a Christian. God's children are those who make peace."
And the Moderator had a warning for many Christians when he said that "it is amazing how many Christians sidestep that particular injunction or attribute."
Addressing the Annual Peace and Peace Making Conference of the Presbyterian Church Dr Birney continued that "Jesus describes the attributes of a Christian when he says 'Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.' These, " thought Dr Birney "are some of the most significant words Jesus ever spoke."
At the beginning of his address to the 150 peace agents from Presbyterian congregations around Ireland Dr Birney described the present situation as one of "limbo."
"What we have learned as we look back over the years is that cessations and ceasefires do not bring peace. Neither can politicians or paramilitaries do it for us. The dynamic of peace rests with us and our commitment to engage with those whom we consider to be our enemy.
"Peacemaking should be the natural outcome of our relationship with God. It is to be central to the life of individual Christians and to the mission of the Church."
But the Moderator was also aware that peacemaking, even within the Presbyterian community was not always popular work. " There is a cost that many people have experienced particularly in Northern Ireland where the dominant culture demands that our group identity be protected and secured at all costs. To dare question that is to be branded almost as a traitor. To reach out and embrace the other may be met with hostility and rejection nevertheless, what we do is right.
"We have an enormous part to play in the peace," challenged the Moderator. "We dare not, we cannot leave it to the politicians."
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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