Diocesan News16 Jun 14

Bishops Issue Joint Statement In Support Of Community Relations Week

Bishop Donal McKeown and Bishop Ken Good

A Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Bishop have issued a joint statement to mark their support for Community Relations Week in the city (16 – 22 June). Bishop Donal McKeown (Bishop of Derry) and Bishop Ken Good (Derry and Raphoe) stated:

‘The challenge in our community is twofold. It is to strive tirelessly to heal the wounds caused by our violent conflict. It is also to ensure that such conflict never happens again. We can best do this by journeying towards reconciliation, so that a cycle of historic division is broken once and for all in this land.

‘We take seriously the command of Christ, the head of the Church, as told in the story of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). His command to love God above all other allegiances and to love our neighbour as we would ourselves is the path to a future with hope.

‘Differences whether of history, race, religion or politics do not define who our neighbour is. Christ teaches us that every person is our ‘neighbour’ and that we are to find practical ways to ‘love’ them. We renew our Christian commitment to loving our neighbour in this city – whoever that neighbour may be.

‘As we work for the healing of wounds and reconciliation in our city we recognize and commend the significant work already being done. This is not only by our own members but also through much patient community work.’

For further information contact:
Fr Michael Canny (Media Relations Officer – Derry Diocese) Tel: 07801 953720
Earl Storey (Diocesan Communications Officer – Derry & Raphoe Diocese) Tel: 00353 89 4264652