Archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell call for dialogue amid Northern Ireland unrest

Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop John McDowell of the Church of Ireland called for the urgent creation of a reconciling initiative to address sectarian unrest in Northern Ireland. In an ecumenical statement released Sept. 27, the archbishops urged all parties to use peaceful and democratic processes to find solutions. They stated that the commandment to love God and neighbor is more urgent now than at any time in the last 30 years.

The plea follows a standoff on Sept. 27 involving members of the Protestant Orange Order and thousands of protesters on Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh. The tension arose from a controversial march intended to pass through a Catholic community. While protesters dispersed on Sunday night, members of the Orange Order continued attempting the march until the early hours of Monday, Sept. 28.