Rev Dr Donald Watts talks religion with Alf Mccreary
In our continuing series, we talk to leading figures about their faith
Rev Dr Donald Watts is former minister of Ballyholme Presbyterian Church, former Clerk of the Presbyterian General Assembly and former President of the Irish Council of Churches. He was also an Ecumenical Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedal in Armagh and served as the European Secretary of thethen World Alliance of Reformed Churches. He has been married to Fiona for 45 years and they have three grown-up children and eight grandchildren. Q Can you tell us something about your background? A I was born in 1948 and grew up in Newcastle. We were able to run around exploring in the forest, or spend seemingly endless summer days at the Rock Pool. I come from a family of teachers. My mother, Margaret, taught me in the aptly named Donard View Primary School, where my grandparents had also taught, and my father, Norrie, in Down High School. I grew up with one elder sister, Anne, who became a doctor, but sadly died in 2015. My dad died in 1996 and my mum in 2011.
My parents were married in 1942, when my dad was home on short leave from the RAF. A few months later, he was shot down over France and listed as “missing, presumed dead”. In fact, he escaped to Switzerland and from there he tried to get home through France and Spain. Unfortunately, he was captured in the Pyrenees and ended up in the German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft III. Q What about your later education and career? A In 1966, I moved to Belfast to study at Queen’s University. These were interesting times for someone who really had no experience of community tensions, although, as a small child, I had wondered why I couldn’t go to school with my friend Seamus. I spent time at the presbyterian Community Centre, where the chaplain, Rev Dr Ray Davey, was an important influence, helping me to connect my faith with issues of justice and rights. I became an enthusiastic member of the-then recently formed Corrymeela Community.
I always find it interesting that, while Ray’s vision for a community of reconciliation grew out of his wartime experience, it was taking shape just before the so-called “Troubles” began.
To study theology, I chose New College, Edinburgh, which gave me the opportunity to listen to some exceptional theologians and to have my understanding of faith challenged by students from different countries and backgrounds. I also kept my links with home. At Corrymeela, I met the supportive love of my life, Fiona Stewart, from a strong Methodist family. We married in 1975 and we have been blessed with three great sons, who married lovely girls and have now given us eight wonderful grandchildren.
In 1977, we returned to an assistantship in Malone, followed by 22 fulfilling years of pastoral ministry in Ballyholme. I moved to Church House in 2001 to become Clerk of the General Assembly from 2003 to 2014. Q How and when did you come to faith? A Faith was a part of family life. The teaching I received from my parents and in church was strengthened each summer when CSSM came to Newcastle, so as a child I came to the decision I wanted to follow Jesus. However, following is not static, so I am constantly, in the different contexts of life, learning how to be faithful. Q Have you ever had a crisis of faith, or a gnawing doubt about your faith? A No, but my faith is constantly challenged and I’m often left with questions. Often, they have to do with why there seems to be no justice for those who are marginalised and left without a voice. Q Have you ever been angry with God? And, if so, why? A Not angry, but, like the psalmists, in frustration I sometimes ask Him what He’s doing.
Q
Do you ever get criticised for your faith? And are you able to live with that criticism? A
No, but I’m rightly criticised if what I claim to believe isn’t reflected in my life. Q Are you ever ashamed of your own Church, or denomination? A I’m proud to be a Presbyterian and a member of a Church which has existed in Ireland for close to 400 years. During that time, it has often given clear witness to the values of the Kingdom. Sometimes, unsurprisingly, that has led the Church to challenge the accepted norms of society and to speak up for the marginalised and those who feel that they have no voice.at other times, the Church has become confused about its calling, often when it has become introverted and concerned for its own position.
I admit there have been times when I have been distressed by decisions and statements made by our General Assembly, which push people aside and fail to offer the loving openness which Jesus showed to all. Thankfully, for me, the Church is not the central institution, but the people who belong, and there are many open, warm-hearted Presbyterians who love others and pray them into the Kingdom of God. I could never be ashamed of them.
Q
Are you afraid to die? Or can you look beyond death? A
No, although I don’t look forward to it. Beyond death there is a whole new experience of God to be enjoyed. Q Do you believe in a resurrection? And, if so, what will it be like? A Yes, resurrection is at the heart of Christian faith and it will be wonderful.
Q
What do you think about people of other denominations and other faiths? A Naturally, I respect people who differ from me and acknowledge that, in some ways, they may have greater insight than I do. We have much to learn from other denominations with their important traditions, which is why I despair when we distance ourselves from them. Increasingly, denominations are becoming less important as we recognise our common calling to serve a world crying out to hear the Good News in a relevant way.
Our relationship with other faiths is different, but increasingly important. Dialogue is vital so that we can learn from other faiths. Q Do you think that the Churches here are fulfilling their mission? A To some degree, but not as fully as they might. Too often, Churches are answering the questions people are not asking. Q Why are so many people turning their backs on organised religion? A Many find organised religion an irrelevance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re turning away from Jesus. In our present situation, it’s interesting how many are viewing online worship. Q Has religion helped, or hindered, the people of Northern Ireland? A
A bit of both. We’ll never know what the past years would have been like without the Churches’s prayers and the local pastoral support offered to people when they needed it most. Occasionally, statements from Church leaders helped to move things forward at critical times and Christian people were involved in, I suspect, every significant movement towards reconciliation.
At the same time, sectarianism, which is an aberration of religion, was at the core of the issues faced by society and the Churches did not address it full on.
Sadly, after all we’ve been through, we still too often skirt around that core issue and other related issues which have come to the fore more recently. Any attitude which marginalises people needs to be examined in the light of Christ’s teaching and love. Q What is your favourite film, book and music, and why? A Schindler’s List, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Letters and Papers from Prison. Q Where do you feel closest Ato God? I don’t really have one place. Q What inscription would you like on your gravestone, if any? A
For me, relationships are our only lasting memorial. Q Finally, have you any major regrets? A No specific regrets. I often fail, but God’s grace encourages me to keep trying.