Responding to violence and division in Northern Ireland

Protests then happened in response across Northern Ireland, and in some areas families with different skin colours, including small children, were literally burned out of their homes. There have been many brutal and indiscriminate acts of violence in Northern Ireland over the years – and as I write this is still an evolving and fluid situation. What is going on here and how might Christians respond? Here are some initial thoughts.

Well firstly, the fact that this attack was filmed and shared on social media around the world overnight meant that people could see the brutality with their own eyes. Many other acts of violence, domestic abuse and sectarian killings have happened in Northern Ireland and some may have been even worse. 

However perhaps part of the reason the reaction was not the same in other cases is simply because they weren’t captured on video and shared through powerful social media algorithms which escalates this kind of content.

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Secondly, this attack came only a week after the outrage about the Henry Novak murder, which also featured a man of colour attacking a white man, and which was again captured on video and shared on social media. 

These attacks did not happen in a vacuum. Across the UK and beyond, there are grassroots and political movements which are built around questions about race, immigration, Islam and national identity. There is an ongoing narrative into which these crimes fit, and an organised and motivated base ready to respond.

There have also been underlying and localised tensions in some parts of Northern Ireland which escalated in June 2025 with the Ballymena riots which saw ongoing incidents of race hate and intimidation. All of this meant that very quickly questions about race, religion and immigration status were part of the public conversation.

There are clearly public policy challenges about immigration and the integration of other cultures and religions in local communities, especially in areas of social and economic deprivation where many people already perceive themselves to have lost any agency and feel forgotten about. There are also challenges around preventing violent crime, policing protests and political representation.

But none of this provides any justification whatsoever for mobs of people burning their neighbours out of their homes because of their skin colour or religion. This is clearly wrong and needs to stop immediately. 

Over the past 24 hours I have been praying with Christians from other countries who live here and reaching out to people of other faiths and cultures and have seen and heard the fear they are experiencing.

We need strong, gracious, humble political leadership which can create space to air these issues and have sensitive conversations in a respectful way. Leaders who are neither afraid to voice the concerns of their communities, nor afraid to challenge the illegal and unacceptable behaviours and attitudes within them. 

We know that some of our member churches are present in the affected communities. We are praying for them and encouraging them as they listen to concerns, challenge behaviours and attitudes which are not Christ-like and provide pastoral care and support to those who have been displaced.

For each of us lets be quick to listen to views and life experiences that we may not share but need to understand.

Let’s be alert to social media algorithms and manipulation, whatever our political preferences, and be wise about the media we consume.

Let’s be brave in speaking up and challenging actions and attitudes which are not in line with how the Lord would treat us or have us treat others.

Let’s be attentive to seeing others as the Lord sees them, as made in His very image.

Let’s be proactive in contacting our friends and neighbours from other places and showing hospitality.

Let’s be encouraging our politicians, police, church and civic leaders as they make difficult decisions.

Let’s be praying that the Lord would stay hearts and hands intent on violence and division and help us to live as ambassadors of reconciliation.