Everyone Must Abide By The Law

Meeting in Belfast this morning (Thursday 2 July), the Church and Government Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland stated its appreciation of all the efforts being made to reach a mutually acceptable accommodation in the issues associated with the Church parade of the Portadown District Orange Order.

However the committee recognised that in the circumstances it was necessary for a Determination to be made by the Parades commission. Consequently, the committee reminds people of their calling to obey the law and to show a gentle attitude to everyone (Titus 3). In the event of local accommodation of any parade not being achieved, including the immediate one in Portadown, the committee strongly urges those who either parade or protest to abide by the law. Echoing the statements of the Moderator the committee condemned without reservation the 'scandalous burning of the churches of our Roman Catholic neighbours.'

The resolutions passed by the Church and Government Committee were as follows:

1. The first meeting of the new Northern Ireland Assembly on the 1st of July 1998 was an historic event, and marks a further important step in the direction of mutual respect and constructive co-operation.

2. The Committee conveys its good wishes to the elected members of the Assembly and especially to Mr. David Trimble and Mr. Seamus Mallon who have been elected as the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

3. The Committee condemns without reservation the scandalous burning of the churches of our Roman Catholic neighbours last night and extends its sympathy to all the priests and members of the parishes whose churches have been attacked.

4. The Committee appreciates all efforts being made to reach a mutually acceptable accommodation in the issues associated with the church parade of the Portadown District of the Orange Order and earnestly hopes and prays that they will succeed.

5. The Committee commends all those who have exercised leadership and abided by recent Determinations of the Parades Commission, even when they have not agreed with such Determinations.  Such co-operation has been of service to the whole community.

6. The Committee records its appreciation of the willingness of public-spirited people to be members of the Parades Commission and recognises the difficulty of reaching legally binding Determinations in situations where local agreement has not been reached.

7. The Committee recognises that in the circumstances it was necessary for a Determination to be made by the Parades Commission. The committee reminds people of their calling to obey the law and to show a gentle attitude to everyone (Titus 3). In the event of local accommodation of any parade not being achieved, including the immediate one in Portadown, the committee strongly urges those who either parade or protest to abide by the law.

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