Archbishops begin Somme peace pilgrimage
The Church of Ireland and Catholic Archbishops of Armagh have started a three–day pilgrimage from Ireland to the site of Battle of the Somme.
Young people are accompanying the two archbishops along with Bishop John McDowell, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher and Bishop Denis Nulty, the Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.
The archbishops said they hope the battle shows the futility of violence and the need for peace.
Fighting for the British were both Ulstermen opposed to Home Rule and former Irish Volunteers fighting for Home Rule, all in the shadow of the 1916 Easter Rising that would eventually pave the way to Irish independence.
The group going to the Somme started their pilgrimage of peace yesterday at Glasnevin Cemetery, where many of those who fought in the Easter Rising are buried.
They were given a guided tour that included a visit to the graves of some of those who died fighting in World War One.
“It really cemented within me the sense of the futility of war, where hundreds of thousands of young people had their lives uprooted and destroyed,” Dr Martin said.
“And for me as a religious leader it re–affirms my commitment to peace, reconciliation and healing.”
The Church of Ireland primate, Dr Clarke, said: “Overall, you look back at nearly 20,000 dead after one day at the Somme and you just think to yourself: ‘No, it could not be worth it.’
“And that’s why I hope and say with Archbishop Eamon that peace has got to be the priority for all of us.”
The pilgrims from both parts of the island and from two different political and spiritual traditions said they hope their journey through past battlefields will emphasise how much is shared between them and how peace, as an end in itself, must be valued.
Image copyright BBC NI