Faith communities have so much to offer NI politicians says priest

Fr Martin Magill, a priest based in Belfast and member of the 4 Corners Festival, a festival striving to bring all members of the North’s communities together, has said that faith communities of all hues and creeds have so much to offer politics in Northern Ireland but the engagement hasn’t been forthcoming and the opportunities to make an impact have continued to fade as a result.

Speaking with The Irish Catholic, Fr Magill said that it’s now time for politicians to catch up on the work that has gone neglected over two years during a defunct executive in Stormont – work that people on the ground have been actively tackling since the collapse of power-sharing.

“To some extent it’s almost as if people are ahead of the politicians and it’s politicians who have to catch up rather than the other way around,” he said.

Questioning why politicians in the North have seemingly engaged with other groups in society but not religious communities, Fr Magill said that the insights offered by faith communities are valuable to wider society and he would welcome greater outreach.

“I see civic society and various branches of civic society – there are times I see no reference whatsoever to the Church and parish, he said. “Let parishes and the local people involved have a close connection with local people and there’s a real value in listening and engaging with us. I’m not for one second suggesting speaking exclusively with us – not for one second. But to consider us as an important stakeholder. Not the only ones – but amongst others. Churches right across the denominations and other religions.”