Belfast riots: Former presbyterian moderator condemns violence and prayers for victims of trauma and fear
A former moderator of the Presbyterian Church has told its General Assembly that supporting the criminal justice system is ‘a very significant theme of scripture’, as he condemned overnight riots and exhorted empathy for its victims.
Rev Norman Hamilton was speaking to the 2026 Presbyterian General Assembly at Assembly Buildings in Belfast this morning, where representatives from 500 congregations from across the island come together to steer the strategic direction of the church.
He was speaking after a night of disorder in Belfast which saw buses burnt out and people intimidated from their homes.
Rev Hamilton said: “Moderator, once again this session of the General Assembly on Public Affairs meets against the background of the horror of intense evil on the streets of our city….
So important that we stand with the whole of society in condemning such violence and offer prayer and ongoing public support for every person and every community where trauma and fear have taken hold.
"In facing into this, God’s people understand really well the words of Proverbs 14 that .. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
“On this basis alone, seeking to bring righteousness to public policy and public affairs is surely to honour the Lord and to have great missional impact in an increasingly godless society.
“The events of Monday night in North Belfast, and the violence last night, highlight the importance of the police service and the courts, for justice is an integral part of national righteousness, and a very significant theme of Scripture.”
He went on to urge full implementation of promised reforms of policing after the Good Friday Agreement.
“There is general agreement that the PSNI still faces many huge challenges 27 years on from the publication of the Patten report. Amongst the biggest is getting recruitment to adequately reflect the diversity of our society; the huge shortfall in funding; the quagmire of legacy and the constant struggle to have full public support for policing itself, and the work of police officers on the ground.
"Moderator, I hope it is not out of order to ask the Council for Public Affairs to firstly - read again the full Patten Report – all 133 pages of it – and absorb its content, ethos and aspirations. Secondly, to reflect carefully on what can and should be done to reinvigorate our church’s support for policing both in public and behind the scenes.
"Thirdly – to seek to offer some thoughts as to how the multiple challenges facing the PSNI might be eased or met. Finally, how best to offer high quality pastoral care to police officers and their families at local level, many of whom are indeed members of our congregations. Doing that seems to me to be crucial given, for example, what we have seen recently in the BBC programme Peelers.
"Righteousness does exalt a nation, and sin does condemn any people. Supporting our police services on both sides of the border is not only an important Christian duty but a privilege as well – and if we want to honour the Lord and be faithful to scripture, we must not be found wanting.”