The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, is in favour of a united Ireland and the Church would want to be involved in any discussions on the matter. Source: Catholic Herald.
In an interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday, Archbishop Martin made clear that the Church would not take sides in any future poll on a united Ireland. But he was also clear where he stood – he himself was born in Derry in Northern Ireland.
Asked directly if he supports a united Ireland, he replied: “Yes. I think it really will be very interesting to see how the discussion surrounding a border poll and a shared Ireland actually continues over the course of the next five to 10 years.”
He continued: “I think the Catholic Church, and indeed all of the churches on this island … would want to play our part in these conversations and discussions and dialogue in order to perhaps encourage reflection on what is their actual vision for an Ireland of a united Ireland? What will its values be, what’s its vision?
“And I think the churches and indeed other voluntary groups and community groups have not really yet become hugely involved in this discussion.”
The archbishop also was clear that violence could never be justified in pursuit of unity – he lived through the Troubles in Northern Ireland – while he felt that the Church should necessarily be involved in discussions over the issue.
“I don’t think we’ll take a back seat”, he said. “Because … well, first of all, our membership will be voting in a border poll.
“It’ll be very interesting to see how the issues of identity work out in a border poll. Will [it] be simply as straightforward [as] Catholics will vote yes; Protestants will vote no? I think that we have had in recent elections north of the border the emergence of this middle ground, perhaps not hugely, but it is there where people are saying, ‘Well, what do we want of a shared Island?’
“I can’t imagine the Catholic Church saying you must vote one way or the other, but they will probably want to examine the issues and be part of the conversation.”
There is no plan for a referendum on Irish unity, and polls suggest that a majority in Northern Ireland would vote to remain in the United Kingdom, but the demographic shift in recent years to a Catholic majority in Northern Ireland has re-opened the question.
FULL STORY
Primate of All Ireland speaks out on a united Ireland (Catholic Herald)
