​Exploring peace, sacrifice and moral dilemmas at Ripon Cathedral

Religious studies teacher CLAIRE JACKSON reports on a particularly thought-provoking visit to Ripon Cathedral

RELIGIOUS studies students took part in an enriching visit to Ripon Cathedral, which gave them the chance to deepen their knowledge of the ethical issues surrounding war and peace while encountering powerful stories of local sacrifice.

Organised in collaboration with Yvonne Jefferies, the cathedral’s education officer, this marks the third year the RS department has taken students to the cathedral, an opportunity that continues to prove both academically valuable and deeply thought-provoking.

The day was designed to support our Year 11 students’ ongoing GCSE studies, particularly their recent unit on Religion, Peace and Conflict - a topic that will feature in both their upcoming mock and final examinations.

The visit began with a warm welcome from Canon Matthew. His opening session encouraged students to reflect on the moral and spiritual dimensions of war and peace, and to consider the ways in which faith traditions can both challenge and reconcile human conflict. Following this, students took part in a fascinating workshop led by Reverend Cliff Bowman, titled “The People behind the War Memorials.” This session was an opportunity to look beyond the surface of the cathedral’s remarkable memorials and learn about the personal stories behind the names inscribed upon them.

Students listened with great interest as they learned about Ingleby Stuart Jefferson, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy who died at just 24; Hanley Hutchinson, who died of his wounds in France; and Katherine Kinnear, a nurse who tragically lost her life in Dunkirk Hospital in 1917.

These stories brought home to students the closeness of war and its deep connections to the local community. Reverend Bowman’s reflections allowed students to appreciate not only the history of Ripon, but also the enduring compassion and humanity of those who served.

The afternoon session, “Christianity and War: Looking at the Ethics of Warfare – Is War Moral?” was led by Lieutenant Colonel Reverend Mercer and proved to be particularly insightful. Drawing on his own military and theological experience, he explored Christian perspectives on war from the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus, St Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. The development of the Just War theory and the introduction of the Geneva Convention were discussed in depth. Students found this session especially valuable, as these themes directly support their GCSE course content.

Our students demonstrated impressive curiosity and maturity, asking thought-provoking questions such as, “Would the torture of prisoners of war ever be justified?” and “Was there anything you considered legally justified in war but later viewed as immoral?” Reverend Mercer was delighted by their engagement and praised their willingness to think critically about such complex moral issues.

Overall, the trip was a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking experience. It gave students the chance to deepen their understanding of the ethical issues surrounding war and peace, to encounter powerful stories of service and sacrifice, and to strengthen the knowledge and insight they bring to their GCSE RS course.

The RS department would like to extend special thanks to Mr Cornish for organising this year’s visit and ensuring its continued success. The department is very proud of how well our students represented the school and how thoughtfully they engaged throughout the day.