Peace in Northern Ireland
For the first time in many long years, there is finally a chance for peace in Northern Ireland. “Dr. No” Presbyterian leader Reverend Ian Paisley, famous for his refusal to co-operate in any manner with the Catholic minority of the British domain, has become the new First Minister of Northern Ireland, with former Irish Republican Army commander/terrorist organizer (depending on who you ask) and Sein Finn leader Martin McGuinness taking the position of Deputy First Minister.
Paisley and McGuinness, traditionally bitter enemies, were surprisingly warm with each other. The photo for this article shows the young McGuiness aiding the now elderly Paisley through the door like a young man aiding his grandfather, not like two men who threw bitter words at each other and threatened violence against each other in the past. As Paisley said, “Yesterday was yesterday, today is today, and tomorrow will be tomorrow.”
In a world ripped apart by violence and hate, where people dehumanize their enemies and commit unconscionable attacks on each other, the religious and political divide in Northern Ireland is quite amazing to see healing. It brings tears to my eyes to view the beautiful photo, and realize that only two decades ago these men would have taken the opportunity to slit each other’s throats, and now they can touch each other like old friends and speak like family.
I hope the world can follow this heartwarming example, and that both sides of Northern Ireland’s political and spiritual divide can maintain the paths for set by these two brave leaders for generations to come.
Sein Finn, Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland
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