Belfast riots: Presbyterian Moderator opens Assembly with prayer for calm
The leader of Irish Presbyterianism has opened the second day of the General Assembly in Belfast by calling for calm and leading prayer for the north Belfast stabbing victim and the police.
Rev Richard Murray was speaking the morning after serious rioting in Belfast after a high profile stabbing in north Belfast on Monday night.
He was speaking to the 2026 Presbyterian General Assembly at Assembly Buildings in Belfast yesterday morning, where representatives from 500 congregations met to steer the church.
Opening the day’s business he assured delegates they are monitoring the political situation and would provide updates throughout the morning.
The assembly was closed early at 4pm the previous evening due to safety concerns.
He also offered comment over events across NI over the previous 48 hours.
“The vicious assault on the gentleman in North Belfast has, I am quite sure, left us all appalled, and in a few moments, we will be praying for him,” he said.
"But the rioting has also left us appalled. And whilst in a democracy, people have the right to protest, they don't have a right to riot, or to intimidate, or to threaten, or even to take life.
“We commend the PSNI for their work in protecting people and property, as well as the other emergency services, and as Moderator speaking on behalf of this denomination, I want to appeal to the wider community for peace and calm, and for sense to prevail.”
He then led the congregation in prayer for calm, for the stabbing victim and for the PSNI in maintaining calm.
Soon after a former moderator told delegates that supporting the criminal justice system is ‘a very significant theme of scripture’.
Rev Norman 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.
“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,” he said.
He also called for reflection on pastoral support for police officers and their families.
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.”