Good Friday walk is opportunity to show our love and respect to all

SIR, — The Castlewellan Bible Prayer Group and Churches Forum feels it must reply to a letter in your paper of April 17 relating to an Easter unity walk between St Malachy’s and St Paul’s Church of Ireland in the town. 

For the past 15 years on Good Friday we have promoted a ‘Walk of Witness and Reconciliation’.

It is an opportunity for men, women and children, despite whatever may divide them, to bear witness to Jesus dying on the cross to save them from sin and all its consequences. 

As they walk together, they also remember those in our community who have suffered because of differences which have sadly led to estrangement, separation and sectarianism. 

In our Bible Prayer Group and Churches Forum we believe the way to peace is to show love and respect those of different traditions.

Jesus said: “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

In a society where many do not believe in God, the cross of Christ is a reminder at this time of year of his sacrificial love for everyone. 

This inspires us to carry a rough wooden cross through Castlewellan on Good Friday as a symbol of our belief in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus by which we can be reconciled to God. 

The Good Friday walk between the two churches began in 2005 and is testimony that, while we have different traditions, we possess a common faith in Jesus Christ. 

For 25 years, the Castlewellan Bible Prayer Group has been meeting weekly to read, study and apply the teaching of Jesus in ure to everyday life. 

We have members from both the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches who believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. 

In 2014, the Churches Forum was established with the help of the three main churches in the town with the aim of promoting reconciliation and enabling people to understand and appreciate the richness of their faith, culture and traditions. 

The Forum has held discussions on ‘Living Faith in the Public Square’, talks on historical centenary events and the reformation, seminars on forgiveness, bereavement, mental health, homelessness and outreach activities such as community soup lunches, concerts and an inter-church choir which has brought people together. 

We who love the Lord Jesus as our saviour believe it would grieve the true and living God if on Good Friday, we did not bear witness to his sacrificial love on the cross. 

Yours etc,

RONALD J HAMILTON,

Castlewellan Bible Prayer Group and Churches Forum Secretary.