At times of war and conflict it is often hard to see a way forward to peace. I have personal experience of this as I was born in Northern Ireland just before “the Troubles” began. That conflict was to last thirty years and sadly, involved much bombing and shooting: over 3,500 people were killed, nearly 50,000 injured and many more were gravely affected. Peace seemed impossible for a very long time. Then in 1994 the Provisional IRA declared a ceasefire which was a real sign of the possibility of change.

The ceasefire emerged from years of behind-the-scenes negotiations between people who were enemies. Politicians, priests, ministers, and those fighting on different sides sat down and talked together. The rhetoric of political and religious leaders was important too. The President of the United States, Bill Clinton, visited Northern Ireland in 1995 and spoke in favour of the peace process and described terrorists as “yesterday’s men”.

There were some backward steps in the following years, including a bombing in London’s Docklands and other bombs in Northern Irish cities, where more people were killed or badly hurt. Yet the momentum was such that the Good Friday Agreement materialised in 1998 and was approved soon after in a general referendum. The ordinary people of Northern Ireland voted for peace.

Peace is a process. It cannot and should not ignore the pain and hurt that has been caused in the past. It can, though, bring in a better future. When one-time IRA commander Martin McGuiness entered peace talks, he is credited with having said, “the past should not define the future” (The Belfast Telegraph 21.3.17).

That is true of many situations. In this season of remembrance, as we honour the sacrifices made by so many in two world wars, I often think of a church member who because of his involvement in the D-day landings, was regularly asked to go and speak in schools. He explained to me that his main message was that there are no winners in war. When there is violence and aggression everyone loses.

Thankfully, there is an alternative. It is a way of learning to understand each other and working together for the greater good. When that happens, everyone wins. That is the way of true faith. When people of good will get together there is always hope for a better, just, and peaceful future for all.