What role should the church play in world events? When is it appropriate for a religious leader to take sides in a conflict, or speak out regarding a situation beyond the church?

Brid thinks about her parish priest back in Ireland, who had been "as much a part of the conflict as any of us," and supported the goals of the IRA. What role should the church play in world events? When is it appropriate for a religious leader to take sides in a conflict, or speak out regarding a situation beyond the church?

Many people look up to their religious leaders and look for guidance. In my opinion, it’s cowardly for religious leaders to ignore world events or to not address oppression and mistreatment of members of their community

It is sad that the troubles have been framed as a religious war - just as the Palestinian/Israeli conflict has.

In fact they were/are both about power - who has it/how to get more of it.

I don't believe God is ever on the side of oppression regardless of whether it's claimed in His name.

The church is a moral leader and, as such, it has a duty to talk about the morality of world issues. In regard to war, it is very difficult to sift out power aspects vs. morality aspects. The IRA is focused upon in this book. But, there are many more world issues, such as poverty, child and sex slavery, hunger and climate changes in which the church, whichever one, should speak out and lend verbal and action support.

This is a question with no easy answer. In a perfect world that is not clouded by politics, prejudice and economics, the Religious leaders should speak out on morals issues and offer guidance to those seeking it. Unfortunately we’ve seen religious leaders who are compromised offering guidance that will benefit a small few and in the long run do a great deal of damaged to those most in need.

I wasn't brought up in a family where the church had a definite place in our household. We had faith, we were taught to be morally kind and giving both in church and in our home. I think my church (Protestant-Methodist) has always given me food for thought about secular situations by talking through the moral dilemmas we face in these times. My church has never encouraged me to feel one way or another in current events ... only to keep my own counsel and follow my moral compass. My friends who are Catholic remember their Church being the guiding light not only of the congregation but of each house, with their parents deferring to the priest many times as the arbiter of cultural justice. So, I think it just depends on how you were raised to view the position of the Church in your life.

Brid is very conflicted about religion. Her priest in Ireland encouraged resistance in the conflict. She goes to confession once in the U.S. over what she had done in the IRA, but even more to confess her guilt over not protecting Ina. She gets no solace from him. She says later it was a nun who "saved" her by encouraging her to work at the Homeless shelter (penance?) and to join AA. None of that however, really provided any sense of forgiveness either.

Entry of religion into any political issue raises the stakes and makes solutions harder to reach. Once religious beliefs have been inserted into a conversation the positions become hardened and intractable. Invoking God makes both sides self-righteous and unable to see the other side. As in the IRA conflict it is hard to justify either side and resorting to terrorism should never be supported by any religion.

I believe it is a duty of the church to play a part in world events. We are the hands and feet of God. We must hold officials accountable and stand up for our values. I believe this work should be non violent however.