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Doug Baker, who visited Covenant several years ago, has served the
PC(USA) as a mission worker since 1979. His role has changed over
his time in Northern Ireland, but his ministry has always served the
cause of peacemaking and reconciliation.
In 2005, Doug began serving as regional liaison for Ireland and the
United Kingdom. In this role, he facilitates Presbyterian Church
(USA) support for programs, relationships, and activities involving
partner denominations and agencies. This includes facilitating
exchanges and work and study visits involving PC(USA)-related groups.
Doug is the site coordinator for the PC(USA)'s Young Adult Volunteer
program in Northern Ireland that serves communities of need at sites in
the United States and internationally. In Northern Ireland their
roles include work with at-risk young people through youth clubs,
drop-in centers, and tutoring programs, work with women's and senior
citizen's groups, and assisting congregations to develop youth
fellowship and other ministries. The volunteers gathered together
regularly with Doug for reflection, prayer, and community-building.
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According to Doug, Northern Ireland is primarily known for its tragic
history of sectarian violence. Since 1969, the "Troubles" have
claimed over 3,800 lives. Thousands more have been injured,
bereaved, left unemployed or been forced to leave their homes as a
result of intimidation. In 1994, Republican and Loyalist terror
groups in Northern Ireland declared cease-fires, opening the way for
multi-party talks.
On Good Friday, 1998,
eight regional political parties and the British and Irish governments
reached an agreement on future structures for governing Northern
Ireland. This "Belfast Agreement" was subsequently endorsed by the
majority of voters in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,
leading to a new devolved Assembly in Northern Ireland and a
power-sharing executive.
Though the devolved
Assembly was suspended on several occasions when trust between parties
broke down, an historic agreement in March 2007 between Northern
Ireland's two largest parties paved the way for devolved power-sharing
government to be restored. "Deep disagreement and profound
difficulties in finding agreed ways to deal with the past remain.
The healing process will still take many years."
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