Ulster bishop in appeal for peace in Europe
"IF there is to be a new chapter in the relationship of the peoples of Europe, Christian discipleship must come to mean more," declared the Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore, the Right Reverend Dr F J MacNeice when he spoke at the annual festival service of the Mothers' Union which had been held in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, this week in 1935.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Belfast (the Very Reverend W S Kerr) and the Reverend B H White, MA (Trinity) was the bishop's chaplain. The Reverend Dr Breene (St Peter's) had carried the pastoral staff and the lesson was read by the Reverend J B Macdonald, MA (St Matthew's).
During the Rev MacNeice address during the service he had said: "A new and better chapter will have Christ's thought impressed upon it. There are, alas, influential war-makers. They make appeal to human passions which are easily inflamed; they call upon us to stand up for what they glorify as our rights; to curb and restrain those who in the past proved, forsooth, that they could not be trusted. That way, if pursued, will lead to war, and they who think today in terms of war have neither eyes to see, nor hearts to understand.
"Let us in our prayers remember those two men – Sir John Simon and Mr (Anthony] Eden – who are now, negotiating in Berlin; let us pray that their mission may give the world peace. Surely Christ is saying today to us here in Ireland, and to the people of Europe – 'Forget your past prejudices, your past prides, your past antagonisms, and risk something for the possibility of a new beginning'.
"At all events the way for the Church seems plain. She should put her strength into the things which make for peace. It is said to men of old time, 'Do not kill,' Christ said, 'Put away anger,' it was said, 'Do not commit adultery,' Christ said, 'Put away lust,' it was said, 'Ah eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' Christ said, 'Resist not him that is evil,' it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy,' Christ said, 'Love your enemy'.
"Those counsels are often pronounced impracticable. It is urged that what Christ recommended would be impossible for the average man. But Christ was not giving counsels for the ordinary, average man who desired no change. He was speaking to picked men, to disciples and candidates for discipleship, to men who had decided on following Him, or who might, so decide."
The Rev MacNeice had continued: "I am speaking to picked persons – to a sort of inner circle. I ask you in all your parishes to pray and to work for peace – for peace in Ireland and peace throughout the world. You as mothers: great is your responsibility and great are your opportunities.
"We must never be satisfied with the status quo. To us as disciples of Christ there has been committed a ministry of reconciliation. The study of Christ's life and methods will, I believe, lead to the conclusion that His way is always the best way if we are to take forward the cause for which He gave His life. We must not refuse His call."
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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