The leaders of the four main Christian churches in Ireland have issued a statement calling on governments in both jurisdictions to address the Cost of Living crisis.
They say projections for the autumn point to a worsening situation for households across the island of Ireland, with many people already vulnerable and living in poverty.
The statement is signed by Presbyterian Moderator Dr John Kirkpatrick, Bishop Andrew Forster, President of the Irish Council of Churches, Reverend David Nixon, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Primate of All Ireland and Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop John McDowell.
They say they are deeply concerned by what they are seeing on the ground, and call for more practical support to be delivered urgently through direct government initiatives in both jurisdictions and also via grassroots charity and community partnerships.
They say they are “deeply concerned” at the government response in both jurisdictions so far, both in terms of meeting immediate needs and also in relation to longer term strategy, and they there must be a longer term refocusing of government policies to deliver real and meaningful social justice and eliminate poverty across this island.
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Standing (left to right) : The Right Reverend Dr John Kirkpatrick, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Right Reverend Andrew Forster, President of the Irish Council of Churches, Reverend David Nixon, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
Seated (left to right) The Most Reverend Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and the Most Reverend John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
Church Leaders’ statement in full
“The unfolding cost of living crisis is affecting many households, across the island of Ireland, but particularly those who were already vulnerable and living in poverty. Projections for the autumn point to the situation worsening while too many people are already struggling to afford essentials like food and fuel and are in real danger of losing their homes, health or lives.
“As leaders of Churches with a presence across the island we are deeply concerned by what we are seeing on the ground, with the increasing energy and food prices disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable, often leaving people with impossible choices to make, missing meals, and falling into arrears on bills.
“We are also deeply concerned regarding the government response in both jurisdictions, in meeting immediate needs and also in relation to longer term strategy. In Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Belfast Agreement created a statutory requirement for the Northern Ireland Executive to produce an anti-poverty strategy on the basis of objective need. Almost 25 years later and this has never been agreed or produced. Likewise, in Ireland a cross-party anti-poverty strategy is badly needed to address issues in a comprehensive and effective manner.
“We want to join our voices with many others, calling for more practical support to be delivered urgently through direct government initiatives in both jurisdictions and also via grassroots charity and community partnerships. This must go hand in hand with a longer term refocusing of government policies to deliver real and meaningful social justice and eliminate poverty across this island.”
“Followers of Christ have always been called to serve the poor, not just through acts of charity, though these continue every day in ways large and small, but through the pursuit of justice and mercy. It is our shared vocation to witness to Christ and to protect the dignity of those made in God’s image, and so we are compelled to speak up in this moment, out of concern and in hope, for the good and flourishing of everyone in our communities.
Right Reverend Andrew Forster
President of the Irish Council of Churches,
Right Reverend Dr John Kirkpatrick
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Most Reverend John McDowell
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of all Ireland
Most Reverend Eamon Martin
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of all Ireland
Reverend David Nixon
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
