ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF PHASE II OF THE LUCAN YOUTH CENTRE
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF PHASE II OF THE LUCAN YOUTH CENTRE ON MONDAY, 20 APRIL 1998
Firstly, let me say how delighted I am to be with you this afternoon to build on the work of my predecessor, Dr. Patrick Hillary – who opened the Lucan Youth Centre in 1987. I am very grateful indeed to Dr. Trevor Morrow - the Chairman of Nexus Ireland – for giving me the privilege of opening the second phase of the project – thereby continuing the link with the presidency of Ireland – and giving me the opportunity to affirm the work that you are doing for peace and reconciliation on this island.
At this time, of course, peace is very much in the minds of all of us – as the politicians make great efforts to resolve the difficulties that have been the source of so much suffering and hurt over the last three decades. I know that I speak for everyone here today in wishing them well in their important mission. We all hope and pray that a lasting solution to the conflict can be found before too long - and that we have seen an end to the suffering that has been inflicted on so many people – that has devastated so many lives and families.
But peace is not something that is just brought about overnight and left like an oil painting to be admired. Peace is an organic state – it needs to be nurtured and developed – it needs to be allowed to mature and to grow with reconciliation. It is not something that we can take for granted in our own place – in our own schools – or in our own homes. Every one of us, without exception, will have some experience of a relationship - an important relationship – one that meant a lot to us – but which had to endure the rupturing effect of rows – or bad temper. All of us who’ve been in that situation will know how much humility, heart-searching and hurt was involved in mending the rift. Each of those little experiences is a treasure-store which teaches us a very valuable lesson about the broader political concept of peace. Peace starts with its personal meaning – its personal relevance - to each and every one of us. Inner peace involves understanding ourselves and being both accepting of ourselves – and also capable of challenging our own myths and prejudices. Where there’s love and respect we flourish humanly. Someone has to give that love and respect – to create it – because it is the basic building-block of any harmonious relationship - whether in the family, the community or in a country. The very foundation stone of this thing we call peace – starts with the individual act of respect and generosity for the other. In order to flourish, peace needs an environment in which there is respect at all levels for other people.
Creating that environment means equipping people with the mindset to recognise and accommodate the ‘otherness’ of others. It involves an acceptance that we are all, to some extent, blinkered by perceptions, prejudices, beliefs - and sometimes, plain misinformation. The task is to condition minds and hearts – to move towards a generous, sharing Ireland that encompasses many traditions and cultures - that creates a space for all of its people - where the richness of diversity is not just a virtue, but a profound necessity. A healthy society is one which celebrates diversity rather than suppresses it; where cultures and traditions draw on each other rather than try to bury each other. As we acknowledge this great reality of diversity, and demand our space it in – we also need to acknowledge in our deepest being, the right of all others to their space too.
To the complete outsider, the conflict on this island must look odd – especially as the identifying feature of each side is ostensibly their religious persuasion - yet all sides profess to be Christian. The question that the outsider might well be forgiven for asking is “why with so much Christianity about, can people be so un-Christian?”. Surely, it behoves all of us to look at what we say – at what we practice – at what we profess – and compare that with the basic gospel message of love. Surely the real place for the Christian denominations is as wagers of peace – of removers of barriers and divisions. That is not to say that we should eschew our church or our denomination – or that we should try to find a ‘basic’ or ‘common’ Christianity that will supersede them. It is merely to suggest that each of us on this island should look firstly to ourselves – and then to our church – to see if change is required – to see if our files need to be updated.
Over the last two thousand years, Christianity has seen many ‘families’ established. Time brings change – and change is the only constant. It stands to reason therefore, that we should be prepared to change in the light of new experiences and new thinking. As John Henry Newman said, “to live is to have changed, but to be perfect is to have changed often”. Part of our learning experience is the building up of a capacity to change – to reach out and co-operate with others - to take full advantage of opportunities offered – to make new friendships – and to establish new links. As we approach a new millennium in a modern Europe where political and economic barriers have been eroded or removed – and as we are on the brink of a new set of relationships between the people of these islands – it is timely for all of us to find a place in our hearts for others – for those with different views and opinions – for those whom we have been told are ‘not on our side’. It’s just worth reminding ourselves of the wording of the dedication on the plaque to commemorate todays’ event, that this new facility is – “dedicated to the glory of God”. It’s worth remembering that God made every one of us – all those to whom we are others and who are others to us. This centre reminds us that we are all the sons and daughters of the one God.
By working and spending time together at the Lucan Youth Centre - in a friendly and neutral atmosphere – young Protestant and Catholic people learn to appreciate that others have valid points to make and parts to play in achieving a shared goal. Mutual prejudices and misconceptions can be overcome. I want to commend the great work which has been done at the Lucan Youth Centre in bringing people from different religious traditions and cultures together – in building new relationships which will grow and flourish – in creating an environment where groups can come together confident in their own identity – yet willing to enter into partnerships with others to achieve shared goals and strive for progress.
It is important especially for young people – who are about to embark on the next phase of their lives – to meet new people – have new experiences – that they should do so with an open mind. They should not be blinkered by the blind opinions of others – they should not be led. They have been equipped to form their own views. A combination of academic, religious and life experience skills will allow them to shape the future they wish for themselves. As they look to and plan for a future outside of the confines of home, school or community - they should do so in a positive and optimistic frame of mind.
We have great grounds for optimism as we stand at the threshold of a new future for all creeds and communities on this island. And we know that it will demand courage from us all to make it work. Young people must bring all their vision and energy to bear to ensure that is a bright and peaceful future. The work you are doing at the Lucan Youth Centre takes on an even greater significance in the changing circumstances that we are facing – in equipping young people with that important mindset. It is important work – work that the coming generations will benefit greatly from.
I congratulate and commend you on what you have achieved – and I take great pleasure in declaring this new phase of the Centre open.