Introduction: Making the Cross Count
David Porter

Comment: We Don't Have to do Anything
Denis Bambrick

Affliction
David Bolton

When Worlds Collide
Alwyn Thomson

The Way of the Cross
David Porter

Parades Commission
David Porter

< Past Issues Archive

MAKING THE CROSS COUNT
When the Prime Minister officially launched the election campaign, ECONI's election focus was already in full swing. In their first joint venture, Care and ECONI took to the road in March with twenty Christian Election Forums in the eighteen parliamentary constituencies. In total some 700 people attended the landmark events.

The questions put to the prospective parliamentary candidates covered a wide range of issues. From pensions to overseas aid, education and health cuts to abortion and pornography. The debate showed a healthy interest among churches for the future of their community.

Not all the prospective candidates were selected by their parties in time for the events. However, every effort was made to contact those who had been nominated and to secure a representative from all parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein. Five sitting MP's took time out of their busy schedules to face the questions, while the pressures of parliamentary business prevented two others from being present at the last minute.

Inevitably the state of the peace process was a major focus for many people. The recently published party manifestos reflect this, with most parties making the search for peace and political accommodation their main agenda. Yet the main electoral contest is within the unionist and nationalist communities as the battle for the soul of unionism and the authentic voice of nationalism is engaged. The ability to articulate a vision of a society at peace with itself that takes account of the realities in this divided community continues to elude us.

At a time when it is all too popular to blame the politicians it is good to remember that, in a democratic society, politicians act on the basis of their support at the ballot box. It is hard to face the reality that Northern Ireland's political leaders do reflect the views of the community that elects them.

In the face of this, choices must be made. No one can afford the luxury of opting out. Evangelical Christians must make their cross count. And this is only the start. With growing polarisation and rising sectarian tensions the next few months will be the acid test of whether the cross of Christ counts for anything in determining the behaviour of a society in which many confess that it is all that counts for them.

ECONI WELCOMES the submission of unsolicited articles, but does not guarantee publication, and manuscripts cannot be returned. Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECONI. Permission to reprint any original article in Lion & Lamb should be sought from the Editor.

Editor   Derek Poole
Asst Editor   Ruth Hutchinson