Churches have released the following statements expressing concern about calls on social media for anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic protests.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland released the following comment:
Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the all-Ireland denomination’s General Secretary, said, “I think that it is important that we take note of the comments made by the Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, and Assistant Chief Constable, Bobby Singleton, at the Policing Board’s monthly meeting yesterday (Thursday) in relation to calls on social media for protests across Northern Ireland against the Islamic community.
“As the Police Service seeks to establish what may or may not happen on Saturday, Mr Boutcher referred to the calls to protest as ‘poisonous nonsense’. Hatred against any section of the community is indeed poisonous, and is not only wrong, but entirely anti-Christian.”
Mr Gribben continued, “Having been made aware of some of the social media posts, which bring the Christian faith into these calls to protest, it is important that we make very clear that the pursuit of such hatred, and the incitement of others to hate and instil fear, is not only abhorrent, but has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the Christian gospel and the message of hope, love and salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ brought to this world.
“It is my prayer, that those seeking to undertake this misguided course of action think again, and understand that we are called by Jesus Himself, ‘to love your neighbour as yourself’,” Mr Gribben said.
A Church of Ireland spokesperson said:
"The Church of Ireland has acknowledged the impact of anti-refugee and anti-migrant hatred in our communities, through a resolution of our governing body (the General Synod).
"In our ministries, we seek to counter the language of hatred against refugees and other migrants at the local level and to communicate a strong message of Christian welcome to all."
From the Methodist Church:
The Methodist Church in Ireland is appalled by the call for ‘anti-immigrant’ protests planned across Northern Ireland on Saturday 3rd August.
We condemn plans by far-right groups within our society to bring people onto the streets, stirring up fear and hatred, and making our communities unwelcoming to many who live there. We stand against all narratives that divide people based on race and nationality or that undermine social cohesion and law and order.
The shocking knife attack in Southport last Monday where three children were killed and many others injured, saddened, and horrified us all. However, to use this attack as a pretext for anti-immigration protests is abhorrent.
The Methodist Church in Ireland reiterates that each one who has made Ireland their home belongs here.
Issued by the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Dr John Alderdice.
The Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, Alan McGuckian SJ, released the following statement:
In recent days, we have witnessed disturbing scenes of violence, rioting and protest, often motivated by Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism, organised and mobilised by social influencers. It is particularly concerning that some individuals and groups have deliberately used the recent attack in Southport, in which three children lost their lives and many others injured, to misinform and inflame fear within the local community and beyond.
It has come to my attention that there are also those in Northern Ireland, often cloaked with the anonymity of social media, that are similarly stoking the coals of fear and mistrust against Muslims.
Particularly in Northern Ireland, we have journeyed so far from a history of conflict and live now in a place that is rightly moving towards mutual respect, dialogue and tolerance. There is no place for racism and sectarianism in a modern civil society. Those who promote mistrust and fear do not speak in the name of Christianity.
Standing in solidarity and seeking an honest dialogue with our sisters and brothers from different cultures and religions is the only authentic Christian way forward.
I make an appeal calling for all to remain calm, to seek peace and to promote community harmony. Let us not be influenced by messengers of fear and misinformation.
