- Church Leaders: “Ending violence against women and girls”
Background
Following their latest meeting, which took place on Friday 1 May, the Church Leaders Group (Ireland), which is made up of the Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Presidents of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Irish Council of Churches, have expressed their sympathy and prayerful support for all families who have been affected by violence against women and girls, calling it ‘an epidemic sweeping across Ireland.’
Statement
The Church Leaders said, “Following the recent horrific murder of Amy Doherty, which marked the 65th women to be murdered on the island of Ireland since 2020 – as people of faith, we wish to express our sympathy and prayerful support for all those families who have been bereaved in such terrible circumstances and also our deep concern at what has become an epidemic of violence against women sweeping across Ireland.
“As Church leaders we are grieved and shamed by reports that Northern Ireland is now one of the most dangerous places for a woman to live in Europe, with 30 women murdered since 2020. We are deeply troubled by the reports that have found that the most dangerous place in Northern Ireland for a woman is her own home. No one should feel unsafe inside their home. Yet 21 of the 30 women murdered in Northern Ireland were attacked in what should have been for them a safe environment.
“As Christian leaders, we condemn femicide absolutely and all forms of violence perpetrated against women. While we welcome the introduction of policy and strategies to address the horror of violence against women and girls in both jurisdictions in recent years, it is regrettable that this has not resulted in a decrease in this abhorrent murder rate. At this particular time, we urge politicians, men and women together, to continue to work with the emergency services and the courts, to ensure that they have the resources necessary to combat this epidemic.
“While legislation and policy are important, they can only do so much. At all levels of society there needs to be active long-term cultural change, where misogyny is not tolerated online or elsewhere, with boys and young men given the opportunity to discover the joys of positive manhood, that loves, respects, and honours women and girls, just as God loves them equally.
“Together, we want to encourage churches to remain vigilant and where possible to provide practical and pastoral support to women seeking refuge from abuse. At the same time, we want to affirm the work that is being done by charities currently supporting these women.
“Finally, for all who have been let down by society and are grieving the loss of a loved one taken so unnecessarily, it is our prayer that you will know justice, and that the ‘…peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7).”
Most Reverend John McDowell
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
Most Reverend Eamon Martin
Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Very Reverend Dr Charles McMullen
President of the Irish Council of Churches
Reverend Alan Wardlow
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
ENDS