The life journey of the Irish Methodist minister, Harold Good, has been portrayed by Senator George Mitchell as a narrative of faith, reconciliation, generosity and optimism. Mitchell’s assessment finds robust affirmation in Good’s highly engaging memoir titled ‘In Good Time’. Born in the year 1937, in the city of Derry, Good proudly asserts his northern Irish roots. He received his ordination in 1962 and has ever since then maintained family ties across Ireland, serving communities in both its jurisdictions. Good, along with Redemptorist priest Fr Alec Reid, is best known for his role as a witness to the decommissioning of the IRA’s arsenal in 2005, an act that symbolized the termination of the Provisionals’ bloody campaign, rather than a capitulation.
Outside the confines of Northern Ireland, Good’s endeavour to cultivate peace has found expression in several other regions, including the Basque Country and Colombia. His recollections span a broad spectrum, encompassing personal family history and various significant individuals with whom he crossed paths. Consequently, the memoir incorporates candid and impartial chapters on figures such as Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, as well as Reid, with whom Good forged a deeply sincere and unique friendship.
The narrative thrives on key themes such as relationships, trust, dignity, forgiveness, and dialogue. Good underlines the significance of empathy, of being able to walk in another’s shoes. The narrative is fundamentally dominated by the Troubles, a period of conflict that unleashed in its wake a lasting legacy of loss, pain and suspicion, aspects society continues to grapple with today, despite the remarkable accomplishment of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement.
Good’s account is deeply rooted in Methodist tradition. He sheds light on this church and its customs, while also recognising other Methodists who played a pivotal part in the peace-making process in Northern Ireland.
The involvement of religious splits in inciting strife is a widespread topic of debate and frequently draws criticism. However, the contribution of religious dedication to mitigating disputes and occasionally mediating their cessation is rarely explored. This significant book articulates the essentiality of this aspect.
Richard English serves as the Director of the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice held within Queen’s University Belfast.