In this post, I'm going to write a bit more about the work of Corrymeela. To provide context, I am starting with two very short stories that illustrate why peace building, reconciliation and healing are still widely needed in Northern Ireland.
Lost Lives
When at Corrymeela two years ago, I learned of a book entitled "Lost Lives." The book contains the stories of the men, women and children who have lost their life as a result of the The Troubles. The liner of the book describes it as "the story of Northern Ireland as never told before; it is not concerned with the political bickering but with the lives of those who have suffered and the deaths that have resulted from more than three decades of conflict."
While I don't want to go on at length about the book, here are two stories.
#1245; November 21, 1974; William James Burns, South Belfast, Civilian, Protestant, 39, married, 5 children, bakery worker. "The victim's body was found on the back seat of his Hillman Avenger car at Apsley Street off Ormeau Avenue. The inquest was told he left for work as usual at 6:30 pm for a night shift at the Inglis bakery in Eliza Street. His body was found by workmen, 12 hours after he left home. It is believed he was abducted in the immediate vicinity of the Ormeau Road bakery as he was about to enter the premises. In June 1975, his wife told the inquest her husband was a Protestant who had been threatened several times about working in the Catholic Markets area. He was from Davarr Avenue in Dundonald, on the eastern outskirts of Belfast."
#2125; July 28, 1979; James Joseph McCann, Armagh, Civilian, Catholic, 20, single. "The young many from Parkside, Portadown, was shot by a UVF gunman from a red Ford Escort as he walked along Obins Street in the town. He managed to stagger to the doorway of a nearby public house. He remained conscious although bleeding heavily and died soon after admission to Craigavon Hospital. A Protestant friend of the victim said the gunman could not have picked a more innocent victim, adding 'He was a decent, hard-working, inoffensive young man.' A Portadown man was jailed for life for the killing. The court was told that he was shot in retaliation for the murder of former RUC reservist and Salvation Army bandman Jim Wright 24 hours earlier at his home in Corcrain Drive, Portadown. A son of Jim Wright and the local Salvation Army commanding officer visited the McCann home to express their sympathy. The judge said: 'Mr. McCann was singled out not for any involvement in any offenses, but because he was a Roman Catholic walking in a Roman Catholic area. It was unjustifiable murder.' James McCann's funeral took place at the Church of St. John the Baptist at Dumcree."
Why Corrymeela is Needed
There are 3,712 stories in "Lost Lives" and not all the deaths from The Troubles have been recorded yet. Obviously, tens of thousands of lives have been affected - families, friends, neighbours, communities and, in fact, an entire nation and beyond. The fallout from these deaths include trauma, communities in conflict and a myriad of other social, political, economic and sectarian issues that continue to divide communities.
For more than 35 years, Corrymeela has been playing a key role in providing a safe place for people to come as part of the healing and reconciliation process. I've been privileged to work with a mix of groups over the past three months via facilitated sessions, workshops, conversations and shared meals on topics and issues that often seem to be a barrier to a peaceful way of life. On two different weekends, I worked with groups of about 45-50 people - one group of adults aged 30 + and the other group comprised of teens. These people came from communities in the border areas of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. They were participating in a program focused on networking and communicating across borders.
The concept of helping facilitate a connection among people seems so basic, but it has not been the experience of many people living in these border communities. Both the teen and adult groups talked about the importance of the program in building trust, creating understanding through communication and breaking down barriers. Many talked about how they had more in common with people across the border than they ever expected. The groups used story telling, music and games to facilitate these connections. Even sharing a conversation over a cup of tea provides opportunities for communication that very much can be the first step in a process of peace building and healing.
It's important to not leave the impression that all groups coming to Corrymeela have the same experience and there are many programs that are designed to provide other opportunities and experiences. However, these kinds of things happen at Corrymeela on a regular basis. For example, other groups may participate in a program targeted specifically at supporting people who are facing very painful issues of trauma or living in conflict ridden neighbourhoods.
People sometimes ask me "why" I have come here and I think the above provides the answer. It's important work and I have some skills that can be applied to this work.
Lost Lives
When at Corrymeela two years ago, I learned of a book entitled "Lost Lives." The book contains the stories of the men, women and children who have lost their life as a result of the The Troubles. The liner of the book describes it as "the story of Northern Ireland as never told before; it is not concerned with the political bickering but with the lives of those who have suffered and the deaths that have resulted from more than three decades of conflict."
While I don't want to go on at length about the book, here are two stories.
#1245; November 21, 1974; William James Burns, South Belfast, Civilian, Protestant, 39, married, 5 children, bakery worker. "The victim's body was found on the back seat of his Hillman Avenger car at Apsley Street off Ormeau Avenue. The inquest was told he left for work as usual at 6:30 pm for a night shift at the Inglis bakery in Eliza Street. His body was found by workmen, 12 hours after he left home. It is believed he was abducted in the immediate vicinity of the Ormeau Road bakery as he was about to enter the premises. In June 1975, his wife told the inquest her husband was a Protestant who had been threatened several times about working in the Catholic Markets area. He was from Davarr Avenue in Dundonald, on the eastern outskirts of Belfast."
#2125; July 28, 1979; James Joseph McCann, Armagh, Civilian, Catholic, 20, single. "The young many from Parkside, Portadown, was shot by a UVF gunman from a red Ford Escort as he walked along Obins Street in the town. He managed to stagger to the doorway of a nearby public house. He remained conscious although bleeding heavily and died soon after admission to Craigavon Hospital. A Protestant friend of the victim said the gunman could not have picked a more innocent victim, adding 'He was a decent, hard-working, inoffensive young man.' A Portadown man was jailed for life for the killing. The court was told that he was shot in retaliation for the murder of former RUC reservist and Salvation Army bandman Jim Wright 24 hours earlier at his home in Corcrain Drive, Portadown. A son of Jim Wright and the local Salvation Army commanding officer visited the McCann home to express their sympathy. The judge said: 'Mr. McCann was singled out not for any involvement in any offenses, but because he was a Roman Catholic walking in a Roman Catholic area. It was unjustifiable murder.' James McCann's funeral took place at the Church of St. John the Baptist at Dumcree."
Why Corrymeela is Needed
There are 3,712 stories in "Lost Lives" and not all the deaths from The Troubles have been recorded yet. Obviously, tens of thousands of lives have been affected - families, friends, neighbours, communities and, in fact, an entire nation and beyond. The fallout from these deaths include trauma, communities in conflict and a myriad of other social, political, economic and sectarian issues that continue to divide communities.
For more than 35 years, Corrymeela has been playing a key role in providing a safe place for people to come as part of the healing and reconciliation process. I've been privileged to work with a mix of groups over the past three months via facilitated sessions, workshops, conversations and shared meals on topics and issues that often seem to be a barrier to a peaceful way of life. On two different weekends, I worked with groups of about 45-50 people - one group of adults aged 30 + and the other group comprised of teens. These people came from communities in the border areas of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. They were participating in a program focused on networking and communicating across borders.
The concept of helping facilitate a connection among people seems so basic, but it has not been the experience of many people living in these border communities. Both the teen and adult groups talked about the importance of the program in building trust, creating understanding through communication and breaking down barriers. Many talked about how they had more in common with people across the border than they ever expected. The groups used story telling, music and games to facilitate these connections. Even sharing a conversation over a cup of tea provides opportunities for communication that very much can be the first step in a process of peace building and healing.
It's important to not leave the impression that all groups coming to Corrymeela have the same experience and there are many programs that are designed to provide other opportunities and experiences. However, these kinds of things happen at Corrymeela on a regular basis. For example, other groups may participate in a program targeted specifically at supporting people who are facing very painful issues of trauma or living in conflict ridden neighbourhoods.
People sometimes ask me "why" I have come here and I think the above provides the answer. It's important work and I have some skills that can be applied to this work.
No comments:
Post a Comment