The friendship between Father Gerry Reynolds from Clonard and the current Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Ken Newell from Fitzroy in the South of the city, was celebrated this week at the launch of a new book aptly titled Friendship Towards Peace.
Both men spoke touchingly about how their friendship had developed and endured over 20 years of the conflict since they met at the height of the Troubles in 1983, following Fr Reynolds's move to Belfast from Limerick.
Their faith and friendship across the Catholic/Protestant divide has brought worldwide attention with the Clonard-Fitzroy Fellowship being honoured in 1999 when Pax Christi awarded the group its annual peace prize for work on peace, justice and reconciliation at the grass-roots level in Belfast.
The American author of the book, Professor Ronard A. Wells, said at the launch on Tuesday in the Canada Room at Queen's University: "This inspirational story needed to be told. It can serve to encourage other generations to find their own feet and their own way."
He added: "This study of friendship shows that people can transcend their communities of origin" and that "narratives of justice and forgiveness can have positive social outcomes."
In a courageous and unconventional step both Fr Reynolds and Dr Newell instigated talks with loyalist and republican paramilitaries back in 1990 and worked tirelessly behind the scenes contributing to talks that eventually brought about the ceasefires of 1994. Fr Reynolds spoke warmly of his lasting friendship with the Presbyterian minister.
"It [our friendship] is a gift. It's a commitment to the North and the discipleship and teachings of Jesus Christ. Part of being a Christian is loving, accepting one another – we both have that spirit. There was never anything in Ken that repelled me or that I could not accept. Our friendship is a real gift to one another in the ministry of reconciliation."
He added: "In friendship we can find our way and find our energy and be open to the spirit of God within us."
In one of his last official engagements as Presbyterian Moderator – he reaches the end of his tenure at the beginning of next week – Dr Newell reciprocated Fr Reynolds's sentiments by expressing his gratitude to the Falls Road priest, saying: "I owe Gerry so much. I have met people I'd never have met before. Gerry is a person who opens hearts like a tin opener and plants wonderful thoughts in my mind. He opens possibilities in a country where people polish the past."
