No Need for a Wall

I’m a German volunteer in Clonard Monastery, working on the Youth Ministry Team since September 2009. Talking to the many young people I’ve met I realised that they grew up in a different society than I did. It was very new for me to see differences between people because of religious backgrounds. As our schools are governed by our state, it is normal for us that people from all religions go to the same school and grow up together. In Belfast I came to realise that this, unfortunately, is not normal for everyone. In becoming part of various projects I got to know that there are many who work against these divisions. 

 

In the program ‘Up Against the Wall’ groups from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ‘Fall of the Berlin Wall’ in November 2009. We met at Belfast’s Peace Walls to bring attention to the walls and question their need. We also visited Belfast City Hall, met the Lord Mayor Naomi Long and went to a prison. We spent a whole day together and got to know people from ‘the other side’ of the wall. Most of us came to realise that there is hardly any difference between a young Protestant and a young Catholic.

 

I attended two OCN courses (Open College Network) where the participants were both Catholic and Protestant. I experienced great friendships between these and found it hard to believe that there is a need for a wall between these people. 

 

On Good Friday 2010 Catholics and Protestants from the Falls and the Shankill came together to walk along the Peace Walls as a sign of peace and reconciliation. Despite lots of rain many people got together. It was a great experience for me because I really could feel a connection between all these people. 

 

The best cross community experience I had was meeting a Presbyterian group from Ballycarry. In March 2010 they came to visit us in Clonard Monastery and we showed them how we work and celebrated Mass. In May 2010 we went to visit them and got an insight into their work and their way of celebrating prayer services. For me it was really interesting to see the differences and similarities for doing one and same thing: celebrating God. 

 

It is very important to have all these projects and programs to help create better understanding between young people. It is a good step into a future where both Catholic and Protestant can live together in peace without a wall dividing them. 

 

I’m very thankful to have been part of all these projects throughout the year. They made me think differently and gave me a new perspective on Northern Ireland.