The Irish Council of Churches (ICC) recently held a consultation event on 'Brexit and the Irish Churches' as part of the CRC funded project on how churches can help those affected by the possible outcomes of Brexit and the atmosphere of uncertainty we are currently living in.
After a planning meeting in June with church and business representatives, an ICC discussion paper ‘Brexit and the Irish Churches - Pastoral Dimensions’ was made focusing on the local, regional and international effects Brexit might have on the Island of Ireland. The paper suggests approaches churches can take towards actively helping those affected by the changes Brexit may incur. The feedback from this paper gave the ICC a basis to create a further draft publication ‘Talking about Brexit: a Guide for Group Discussion’. This guide aims to provide further help to churches and communities in tackling difficult discussions around topics such as Brexit in a supportive and respectful way.
The day began with responses from Rev Brian Anderson, Presedent of ICC, and Most Rev Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, representing the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Rev Anderson highlighted that churches share a concern for a society that is still healing, bearing visible scars of conflict, and now risks further division and polarisation from Brexit. Bishop Treanor drew attention to the Irish churches and national inter-church structures that will occupy a unique position that entails possible opportunities, whatever happens with Brexit, as churches have a European network.
Three workshops focusing on the local, regional or international aspects from the consultation followed this. The workshops emphasised the need for churches to work together towards peace as collaboration and relationship building is often not replicated at local level, with peace-building appearing to be a low priority for many local churches.
From the local workshop there were concerns at the increasing political polarisation exacerbated by the uncertainty arising from Brexit. At a local level we are called to remember there are not just two communities in Northern Ireland, we must respond to diversity and address negative attitudes towards minorities which may have been worsened due to the Brexit debate. Building resilience is key to the response of churches at local level. Further training and skills development is required. Listening skills require particular attention.
The afternoon gave time for a panel discussion with Kevin Conmy from the Irish Secretariat, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Jacqueline Irwin, CEO of the CRC NI. The valuable role that churches play in building community and the important space they occupy in society was affirmed. The panel agreed a focus on the moral and pastoral responsibility, to offer hope as a way of building resilience, is important for all churches, especially at a local level. The discussion also highlighted the focus of the Church needs to be on how we can promote inclusive conversations in which challenging issues can be addressed, while also allowing space for disagreement.