Former president of Ireland urges Luther audience to be peacemakers

The former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, strove to build a bridge between Catholic and Protestant denominations, and sought to address issues of justice, social equality, social inclusion and reconciliation.

On Wednesday morning, McAleese told a chapel service audience at Luther College that it's not enough to pray to God for peace.  She reminded the students and staff members that "you're the hands of God's work."

McAleese told the audience "I am a peacemaker...I do not listen to the harsh voices."  But she also cautioned people that the work of peace is difficult.  "The shelf life of anger is distressingly long," she said, urging people to turn away from anger.

McAleese will attend several classes throughout the week.  She will also attend and will be the guest of honor Thursday evening at a local reunion for families who participated in the Decorah-Ulster Exchange, a project in the Decorah area that aimed at bringing Irish Protestants and Catholics together.