In the current edition of The Scribe, the Diocesan magazine for the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh, the bishop, The Rt Revd Ken Clarke, in the context of recent acts of violence and in particular the shocking death of 20–year–old Andrew Dolan at Christmas time, calls for restraint from violence and prayers for peace in society at large.
In his article, Bishop Clarke says: ‘Violence is damaging destructive and deadly. Too often the outcome is a paralysed body, a broken hearted family, an untimely death … Let us pray an end to this plague of violence which has infected too many lives in our country and broken too many hearts in our homes and communities.’
Transcript of Bishop Clarke’s article:
ACTS OF VIOLENCE
In this past month in Carrick–on–Shannon many people attended the funeral of a 20–year–old Irish man. He was a gifted popular young man who loved life and lived it to the full. Two nights before Christmas he was attacked – needlessly senselessly, viciously. On that same night an elderly man I know was in his shop when he was attacked – needlessly, senselessly, viciously. Both attacks were unprovoked, unnecessary, and undeserved. So often and too often in recent weeks innocent people have been attacked injured and killed. We have witnessed acts of violence right across Ireland. It has been disturbing shocking and alarming. Such events prompt some of us to ask: Is this the kind of country we want? Is this the kind of behaviour we accept? Is this the way to express anger and rage? Have our streets become war zones rather than paths of peace? Too many recent events have shown that dangerous uncontrolled expressions of anger are a major challenge in our country in these early years of the 21st Century.
Anger
There is such a thing as righteous anger. We saw it in Jesus during His earthly ministry. Righteous anger can lead to selfless service and compassionate action. It is right to be angry about issues such as poverty injustice greed and cruelty. Our country needs people who are angry about such things. However, there is a dark side to anger. It is not acceptable to express anger in violent deeds and vicious actions. They are selfish. They are offensive. They are sinful. Such expressions of anger are not cool. They hurt. They harm. They can result in serious injury. They can lead to premature death and too often they do.
If people are tempted to smash someone’s face, hit someone’s head, kick someone anywhere between their head and their toes then surely the shout of society has to be: Stop, Think, Don’t! Violence is damaging destructive and deadly. Too often the outcome is a paralysed body, a broken hearted family, an untimely death.
Andrew Dolan On behalf of the Church of Ireland community of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, I express our profound sympathy to the family of Andrew Dolan and the families of all who have been injured or killed in violent attacks. We assure them of our prayers. Andrew was a young man who thought of others. This was in evidence even at the time of his death. He was an organ donor. The desire to give is the way to live. He was attacked in the season which is marked by giving, the season of peace on earth and goodwill towards others. Those qualities are not just for a season. They are for life. They strengthen and enrich a country. They contribute to the common good. On the other hand violence poisons and destroys. May Andrew’s example of giving become our way of living.
Blessed are the Peacemakers The God we worship and who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ is a God who gives and gives and gives again. He loves. He cares. He is a peacemaker. He is moved with compassion. He thinks of others. The Father gave His Son. The Son gave His life. The Cross is all about giving. God so loved that He gave! Jesus taught us how to give and He showed us how to give. We are called to give. May we be genuine Christ–like givers, people who care for others. Let us pray an end to this plague of violence which has infected too many lives in our country and broken too many hearts in our homes and communities.
Jesus said,
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Matthew 5:9
‘You’re blessed when you can show people how to co–operate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.’ Matthew 5:9 (The Message)