| From 1997 to 2001 he was development
officer with Mediation Northern Ireland, working primarily with
the churches sector.
From 1979 to 1997 he was Christian education coordinator for
the Corrymeela Community, a dispersed ecumenical community with
membership drawn from both Catholic and Protestant churches in
Ireland and committed to a ministry of reconciliation across social,
political, and religious divisions. In that position Doug supported
the development of interchurch initiatives and cross-community
encounter programs through which he established a broad base of
contacts that has provided a strong foundation for his subsequent
ministry.
Having been invited to take up recognized ministerial status
in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Doug served as convener
of the Race Relations Committee from 1993-99 and the Peacemaking
Committee from 1999-2006. He now coordinates its Conciliation
Panel and training.
“In spite of tremendous natural beauty, friendly people,
and major contributions to science and industry,” writes
Doug, “Northern Ireland is primarily known for its tragic
history of sectarian violence. Since 1969 the ‘Troubles’
have claimed over 3800 lives. Thousands more have been injured,
bereaved, left unemployed or been forced to move house 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.
“In referenda the majority of voters in both Northern Ireland
a nd the Republic of Ireland endorsed this ‘Belfast Agreement.’
Elections to a new devolved Assembly in Northern Ireland and the
setting-up of a power-sharing executive followed. Some paramilitary
groups have also engaged in acts of decommissioning illegal weapons.
“This devolved Assembly was suspended on several occasions, when trust between parties broke down. However, an historic agreement in March 2007 between Northern Ireland’s two largest parties, the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein, 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. Much else is also required to build a lasting peace. The healing process will still take many years.”
Doug graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle
in 1972 and received his Master of Divinity degree in 1976 from
Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as associate pastor
of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, until
his appointment to Ireland. Doug is a clergy member of Donegal
Presbytery.
Elaine Baker is a native of Belfast and first became involved
in reconciliation efforts with the Corrymeela Community in the
early 1970s. From 1973 to 1984 she taught 11- to 18-year-olds
at Belfast Royal Academy and contributed as a volunteer to various
Corrymeela programs. She now does some substitute teaching and
works alongside Doug on particular projects, including hosting
the Young Adult Volunteers and visiting groups. Elaine is a member
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and an active elder in their
local congregation, Stormont.
Elaine and Doug are the parents of three children: Niall, Fiona,
and Stephen.
Birthdays:
Doug - September 5
Elaine - May 22
Niall - March 6
Fiona - August 2
Stephen - December 7
|
Doug writes an occasional update on the political situation in Northern Ireland, the latest of which is in his 
