Today is the fifth anniversary of the death of Fr Gerry Reynolds CSsR, who is best remembered for his three decades of service in Belfast’s Clonard Monastery and his pioneering work in ecumenism and peacebuilding.
I was privileged to write a biography of Fr Gerry, Unity Pilgrim, which was published last year by Redemptorist Communications.
The faithful service of Gerry and his friends really did help to change our world for the better in tangible ways. For me, his life is ultimately a story of hope.
Ministry during Northern Ireland’s Troubles required the type of steadfast hope that we might today call ‘resilience’. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought its own challenges and I think Gerry’s example can continue to be an inspiration for us during these times.
At the same time, Gerry’s vision for Christian unity and a reconciled society remains elusive. To be achieved, more Christians must see his vision for unity and reconciliation, and join him on the journey that he started.
I concluded Unity Pilgrim with these words:
One week after Gerry agreed with me that I would write his biography, he wrote in his journal: ‘I pray for a good outcome to the sharing of my story with Gladys Ganiel. The story you hold in your hands is an outcome of that prayer. I am certain that Gerry’s idea of a ‘good outcome’ would be that you continue the journey where he left off.
Click here to order Unity Pilgrim.