The pursuit of justice?

Following the Saville inquiry into Bloody Sunday in 2010, then Prime Minister David Cameron said, ​“what happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong.” and that he was ​“deeply sorry”. This latest case was a complicated and long-running criminal trial into the actions of one of the soldiers on the day.

Reaction to the ruling has been largely predictable. The families of the men who were killed have vowed to continue their campaign, and the First Minster Michelle O’Neil has committed herself to supporting their ​“pursuit of justice”. Veterans’ groups and Unionist political parties have welcomed the decision and raised questions about the prosecution and the process.

In short, it seems that almost everyone connected to this case has been left hurt, frustrated and feeling that justice has not properly been served throughout this process. The case highlights wider issues about legacy, the past and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. I wonder how we might respond?

The desire for justice and truth is good, emanating from God and pointing us back to Him as the ultimate Judge. As Christians, we believe that one day there will be no more death, pain or injustice while acknowledging in the fallenness of the here and now, that justice will often elude us. So far, truth and justice have been pursued in distinct and piecemeal ways, through enquiries, civil litigation and criminal prosecutions. There are advantages and disadvantages to these different routes but no guarantees that even at the end of any process, the questions and expectations of survivors and families will be met. 

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Practically, over 50 years since the start of the Troubles, evidence degrades and the burden of proof required to successfully prosecute a criminal case becomes ever more difficult. Operationally, the PSNI and PPS have limited resources and the proportion that they can give to investigating past events, versus responding in the present and planning for the future, is likely to diminish also. None of this is to dampen or dissuade the pursuit of justice, but to acknowledge honestly that the transcendent desire for truth and justice often cannot fully be realised by mere human means.

It is often commented upon, that legal cases against the state receive more media focus and that different standards are applied against the state, when compared to terrorist organisations. In many ways this is unsurprising; of course we expect more of the state than we do from paramilitary organisations and where the state has broken it’s own laws, then justice should be pursued. At the same time, it is a matter of record that most victims of the Troubles were not killed by state forces, but by organisations who do not keep records or even attempt to comply with the law and court procedures. 

I met with a man just this week who was injured in an attack by a paramilitary group in which someone else was killed, and who is never likely to see justice in this life. Unfortunately, most victims and survivors will never get close to a prosecution or an inquiry. We can and should pray for our rulers and those in authority and seek to live lives of law and order. At the same time, we are to be a prophetic voice, speaking out against injustice wherever that may come from.

The Christian experiences when it comes to the legacy of the Troubles are many and varied. I would venture that there is probably not a church in Northern Ireland which does not have at least one member who has been affected in some way.

Today, there are Christians who are victims and survivors. There are Christians who were/​are in the RUC, PSNI, army and state forces. There are Christians who were previously involved in paramilitaries. There are Christian legal professionals, civil servants and politicians. There are church leaders who buried the dead and comforted the bereaved, and this work continues today.

The events this week, and many weeks, raise past hurts and unresolved traumas for many in our congregations. Unfortunately, these news stories aren’t going away anytime soon and court cases, anniversaries of attacks and ongoing absences in family homes raise deep emotions and require ongoing pastoral care. Christians have an important and may I suggest urgent role, as the church gathered and scattered, in the pursuit of truth and justice, healing and reconciliation.

We are currently developing some resources which we hope will help the church respond in the months and years ahead. If you would like to discuss any of these issues with me, please just get in touch: d.​smyth@​eauk.​org