An Interview with Nicola Brady

by Gordon Nary

Gordon: Tell us about your work in ecumenism, peace-building and synodality.

Nicola: I am currently working as General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, bringing together Christians of different denominations for fellowship and collaboration on issues of shared concern. This work has a major emphasis on peace-building, allowing me to continue the work I began in my previous role as Coordinator of Justice and Peace for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. I still work in a voluntary capacity for the Bishops’ Conference to support the synodal process.

Gordon: How does synodality support the work of ecumenism and peace-building?

Nicola:  Pope Francis has been very clear about the links between synodality and ecumenism, beginning the Synod last October with an ecumenical vigil that was a great moment of hope for Christians around the world. Synodality is about journeying together as followers of Christ. Similarly in our ecumenical work we explore, through dialogue, worship and collaborative working, our shared identity in Christ, combined with an appreciation for our diversity. The skills of dialogue and deep listening developed during the synodal process contribute to peace-building work by equipping Christians with the skills necessary to reach out to those who are different to them in a respectful search for mutual understanding and build the kind of relationships that can allow everyone to have a sense of belonging.

Gordon: How is the Church contributing to the work of peace in Ireland today?

Nicola:  Last year we marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and also the centenary of the Irish Council of Churches – our national ecumenical structure for Protestant, Orthodox and independent churches – and the 50th anniversary of the participation of the Catholic Church in that dialogue through the Irish Inter-Church Meeting. It was an important opportunity to reflect on the fact that the work of peace here is not finished. Churches took the opportunity to engage in self-critical reflection on their own role and how the divisions between Christians have hindered the work of peace. They committed to building on the learning from their ecumenical journey to continue to contribute to healing the wounds of the past and shaping a vision for a shared future.

Gordon: What are your concerns about the global work of peace and justice today?

Nicola:  The Good Friday Agreement has rightly been held up all around the world as a sign of hope for other societies in conflict. I have been privileged to travel to many societies in conflict around the world to explore how that learning might be shared. I am concerned that in the international community we seem to be losing faith in dialogue and prioritising military responses to conflict rather than investing in long-term relationship-building. Our experience shows that what ends conflict is dialogue, respect and friendship and the work of building peace takes place over generations – not through a military victory. Last year I had the privilege to travel to Sri Lanka and Liberia and witness what the Church is doing in the aftermath of brutal conflicts that have now largely been forgotten by the rest of the work, but where true peace is still far away. It is truly inspiring and I hope that the Church can help share more of these lessons globally.

Gordon: What gives you hope in today’s polarized and fractured world?

Nicola: I consider myself very blessed in that the work that I do – whether in ecumenism, peace-building or synodality – is all about bringing people together. I have had the privilege to witness astonishing Spirit-led transformation of relationships. I know that it is possible to not only overcome our differences but to renew our relationships through reconciliation. It is not easy and it takes time. The Church’s contribution to this work is far from perfect, but we have valuable learning to share.

Gordon: Thank you for a great and informative interview.