Methodist peacemaker addresses Retired Clergy Association (NI)
The Revd Harold Good, a former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and renowned peacemaker, was the speaker at the last meeting of the Retired Clergy Association (RCA) NI.
“Confession, grace, and forgiveness are necessary to help heal the wrongs of the past; however, forgiveness doesn’t undo the past but it transforms the future.” This was just one of the memorable sayings that Mr Good shared with the retired clergy when they met at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on March 19.
In spite of having sustained a fall before Christmas which required surgery, Mr Good arrived using only one crutch – and in good spirits!!
After a warm welcome from the RCA chairman, Bishop Patrick Rooke, Mr Good proceeded to captivate those present with numerous anecdotes from his many years of ministry in the Methodist Church and also his role in the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
Methodist Ministry
Basing his talk on three strands – personal, pastoral and political – Mr Good began by describing his family background connections with West Cork and Co Armagh; his upbringing in the Methodist Church, of which his father was also a minister; something of his early days in ministry on the Shankill Road in Belfast and as a chaplain in Crumlin Road prison at the beginning of ‘the Troubles;’ becoming Director of the Corrymeela Centre for Reconciliation from 1973-1979; five very happy years spent as minister of the Methodist congregation in Ballynahinch; and his Presidency of the Methodist Church in Ireland in 2005.
Peace Process
Dealing with his involvement in the Peace Process, he described his work, together with the late Fr Alec Reid, as one of two independent witnesses overseeing the decommissioning of IRA weapons in 2005.
Mr Good told members that he formed close relationships and long-lasting friendships with the Rev Dr Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, and was at Stormont when both men took their oaths to serve as First and Deputy First Ministers of the Assembly.
His work on behalf of peace gained him international recognition and the thanks of the then United Kingdom Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, Bertie Ahern.
‘Humble and gracious’
A humble person, Mr Good made no allusion to the honours which have been bestowed on him: An MBE in 1970 and an OBE in 1985; an Honorary Doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast; the World Methodist Peace Award in 2007; and numerous other recognitions.
Members were delighted to enjoy the morning with such a renowned yet gracious man and to avail of his book, ‘In Good Time: A Memoir,’ published in October 2024 – the proceeds from the sale of which are donated to the Corrymeela Centre.
Thanks
Bishop Rooke paid tribute to the guest speaker, thanking him for his fascinating talk and the lasting contribution he has made to peace in Northern Ireland and other parts of the world, following which the Ven John Scott, RCA Honorary Treasurer, presented Mr Good with a token of members’ appreciation.
With thanks to Canon Jim Campbell, RCA Honorary Secretary