Put Out Into The Deep

On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, the Irish Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland) visited Lough Neagh and Coney Island – a landscape rich in beauty, history, ecological significance, and growing crisis.  The visit was not only an opportunity to witness the natural wonders of Lough Neagh, but also a moment to listen deeply to the voices of local communities, conservationists, and those whose livelihoods have long been connected to the Lough.

Lough Neagh in crisis
Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in either Ireland or Britain, is a vital ecological, economic, and cultural heartland for Northern Ireland.  However, it now faces serious threats from nutrient pollution, invasive species such as zebra mussels, and increasingly severe blue-green algal blooms. These issues have devastated local fisheries and endangered unique native species like the pollan and dollaghan trout.

In 2025, for the first time in generations, eel fishing was suspended, not because of legislation, but because export markets rejected the eels due to poor fat content, likely a result of Lough Neagh’s ecological deterioration.  For many families, a centuries-old way of life has come to an abrupt and painful end.

Listening to the community
Beginning at Maghery Country Park, the Church Leaders began their visit with a boat crossing to Coney Island.  There, they met members of the Southwest Lough Neagh, Rivers and Islands Association, along with local residents – including fishermen and environmental advocates – who are working tirelessly to restore and protect Lough Neagh’s ecosystems.  Their testimonies bore witness to both the beauty of this place and the severity of the crisis it faces.

A shared call to care
The theme for the visit, “Put out into the deep,” invited profound spiritual reflection.  As the Church leaders journeyed to and walked the grounds of Coney Island – including a visit to Saint Patrick’s Stone – they were reminded of the Gospel call to trust, to listen, and to act boldly for the sake of God’s creation.  Lough Neagh is more than just a lake; it is a  place that represents a shared heritage that transcends political, religious, and social boundaries.  The Church Leaders’ visit offered an opportunity to model collaboration, care, and prophetic witness in the face of ecological collapse.

Towards renewal and responsibility
Archbishop Martin acknowledged that environmental degradation is not only a scientific and political issue, but also a deeply spiritual and moral one.  Reflecting on his visit, he posed important questions for all people of faith: What does it mean for faith communities to “put out into the deep” and face the ecological crises of our time?  How can we collaborate across denominations, sectors, and borders to renew our responsibility as stewards of creation?  What prophetic voice might the Churches raise in solidarity with vulnerable ecosystems and communities?  He invited all people of goodwill to consider how each of us might respond with prayer, advocacy, and action.

A symbol of unity and hope
Coney Island, with its 5,000 years of human habitation, from neolithic farmers to the present day, has stood as a symbol of continuity, resilience and renewal.  Today, cared for by the National Trust, it also symbolises the need to protect what is precious before it is lost.  The visit included a moment of shared prayer and reflection on Coney Island, allowing the Church Leaders the opportunity to offer a quiet but powerful witness to the Churches’ desire to walk together, listen deeply and act with courage in response to the unfolding crisis.

Watch the reflection and prayer 
To watch Archbishop Martin’s message from Lough Neagh, please click HERE 
To watch the Church Leader’s prayer, please click HERE
Let us walk together in faith, hope, and care, for the sake of creation, our communities, and generations to come.