Sr. Maura Twohig:

While I am listening, I am reliving those years in the North. I am challenged daily by the great commitment of so many people, such as those in the organisations Ms Peake and Mr. Donaldson represent. They devote considerable energy to their work every day.

I am 100% behind the view that all the practical steps that need to be taken must be taken. I need to say that because I am going to go back to my own underpinning level of depth again. That is not to say others are not doing so. When Mary Daly and I first went to Omagh, on invitation, to do something about peace there, we were invited to be part of the Omagh Churches Forum. We were the only two women and the only two non-clerics present. I remember those involved were great and I learned an awful lot from them. The first discussion was with people who were all from over the Border, where circumstances were very different. There was a group we needed to bring to convert and another group we needed to bring to its senses. Each believed the other was wrong. I was going out of my mind asking what was wrong and how there could be such differences within the one room. We did have the courage to say we were not prepared to be part of any activity to bring groups together until we could sit down as a group ourselves for at least a day with an external facilitator to talk to each other from the heart about where we were at. It was a matter of determining our own areas of prejudice and the problems we had with one another in the here and now. Until we can do that work ourselves, we are not fit to lead anything. To the credit of the group, it engaged in this process several times, not just once.

Some say they have a political agenda and must get re-elected - that is acceptable as we are all in a real time–space dimension - but I cannot make that secondary to the pain and grief arising from something else being neglected while money is being spent and my ego is becoming bigger. Do members know what I am talking about? Having listened to the contributions here, I noted the genuineness of Mr. Bothwell’s tears. I have seen them before and know how authentic they are. This peace must be touched.

It is not by accident that there is a desire across the country and the world for meditation and mindfulness. We have been teaching meditation and mindfulness for all the 20 years during which we have been in operation. In the past few years, we have been oversubscribed. We recently offered another programme, on foot of which 50 from the small town have signed up, with a view to starting in a week’s time. It is something of a call to know that one must first be at peace in one’s own mind and soul. I note every day that there is a challenge in this regard. The more I keep in the present moment, rather than the past or future, the better. However, the past and future are in the now. This is pertinent even as I walk along the street.

I was in a place yesterday in which everyone was of a European nationality other than Irish. Something within me was saying, “Dear God Almighty, what is happening our own people?” What had I to do next? I had to ask why there was a lack of openness that would allow us all to see one another as people? The individuals to whom I refer were giving tremendous service and were gracious. They were earning a living and they had a right to it. In other words, I must face my own prejudice every day and until I can actually face it and do something about healing it, progress cannot be made. In so far as I can achieve this, I can somehow facilitate the healing work that others want to be engaged in. We should first ascertain where we differ and then go into the other areas. Forgiveness, mindfulness, awareness and being in the present have to underpin all of the practical tasks that need to be done daily. If this does not occur, we will do more harm than good.