Gary is a Methodist minister and directs a conflict transformation organization based in Belfast called "Rethinking Conflict." Prior to this he spent 27 years as a Methodist clergy person in parish ministry in Belfast and has played an integral role in the Northern Irish peace process. He played a key role in establishing the Skainos project, which is a world class urban centre developed in a post conflict society as a model of co-existence and shared space, and it is acknowledged as the largest faith-based redevelopment project in Western Europe. Mason is a close advisor to Protestant ex-combatants on the civilianisation efforts of paramilitaries. He was instrumental in facilitating negotiations with paramilitaries and government officials, and in 2007 his contribution was formally recognized by the Queen. In 2009, Mason’s church was the stage from which Loyalist paramilitaries announced their weapons decommissioning. Mason has lectured in political and academic forums throughout Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and the U.S.A. on lessons from the Irish peace process.
He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Ulster, completed his theological studies at Queens University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Studies from the University of Ulster. Gary is a Research Fellow at the Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention at Maynooth University in Ireland. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Candler School of theology at Emory University in Atlanta lecturing on reconciliation peace building, the history of the N Ireland conflict, racism, sectarianism and conflict transformation.
Audio Archive
Mason, Gary
Recordings
The Role of Reconciliation, Memory, and Theology on Shaping the Public – Part 1
Presenter: Mason, Gary / 2017The Role of Reconciliation, Memory, and Theology on Shaping the Public – Part 2
Presenter: Mason, Gary / 2017From Extremism to Inclusion: What the Peace Process in Northern Ireland Can Teach a Post-Election United States
Presenter: Mason, Gary / 2017Psalm 91: The Mystery of Suffering — Hosea's Critique of the Mystery of Violence
Presenter: Mason, Gary / 2018Recent Additions
Vespers October 2, 1973 – Why Read the Bible
Vespers September 29, 1973 – Angels
Vespers September 2, 1973 – Prayer God Answers
Audio Archive Partner
Holden wishes to express appreciation to PLU, Pacific Lutheran University, for their support of the Holden Audio Archive Project.
September 7, 2024| there are 2302 presenters in the archive | there are 19229 recordings in the archive | welcome