Northern Ireland riots: Pax Christi appeals for united response from churches and government

Fr Gerry McFlynn

Fr Gerry McFlynn, Vice President of Pax Christi UK has issued this appeal today, after communities in Northern Ireland suffered three days of anti-immigrant riots.

Fr Gerry said: "It has been a very dispiriting experience to be back home this week and to witness the racially inspired violence in Ballymena and other parts of the North.

"I am seeing scenes I thought had been consigned to the past. This violence now risks undermining the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in the town.

"Political and church leadership is desperately needed to rebuff the false claims of those who stir up hatred and violence against the 'other'. The truth is that communities in Northern Ireland (and in the Republic) have been enormously enriched by those from elsewhere who have chosen to make their homes here. Indeed, there is strong evidence that many have already made a considerable contribution to the economy and quality of life in Ballymena and other parts of the North.

"A united response from representatives of the Stormont Executive along with leaders of all the main churches would have a strong symbolic effect and show, at very least, that those engaged in the violence and those fomenting racial hatred do not represent the majority of people in Northern Ireland.

Let's hope and pray for such a response."