|
|
|
The Church and Government Committee of the Presbyterian Church has called on the Orange Order to call off the protest at Drumcree and all other associated protests.
Meeting in Belfast today, Monday 07-09-98, the committee described the events in Portadown at the weekend as 'inexcusable' and said that 'attacks on the security forces and the intimidation of their families by those who protest their loyalty is indefensible.'
In issuing their call to the leadership of the Orange Order the committee asked them to 'implement their own stated aims and principles of "liberty under the law" and call off the protest at Drumcree and all other associated protests, and work towards a peaceful resolution of all situations of conflict.
In its first meeting since June the Church and Government Committee also condemned the 'scandalous and evil activities of dissident republican paramilitary groups which resulted in the bombing of Banbridge and Omagh,' and expressed its sympathy to the relatives of those killed and to those injured.
The Committee also commended the stated determination of both governments to suppress the activities of paramilitary groups intent on engaging in lawless activity and welcomed the passing of recent legislation designed to achieve that end. However the Committee sounded a cautionary note in saying that 'the legislation is far reaching in the power given to the police and the courts and must be exercised decisively but with care and with due regard to the rights of innocent people.'
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services
The full text of the Church and Government Statement follows:
The Bombing Of Banbridge And Omagh
- The Committee condemns the scandalous and evil activities of dissident republican paramilitary groups which resulted in the bombing of Banbridge and Omagh, the deaths of 29 people and injuries to hundreds of others, as well as the destruction of the property of the business community. The bombing of Omagh was an outrageous act which has visited death and destruction on scores of innocent people and their families. The Committee expresses its sympathy to the relatives of those killed and to those who are injured and prays that they may all experience the grace of God so that they may cope with the awesome losses they have sustained.
- The Committee commends the stated determination of both Governments to suppress the activities of paramilitary groups which are intent on engaging in lawless activity and welcomes the passing of recent legislation designed to achieve that end. The legislation is far reaching in the power given to the police and the courts and must be exercised decisively but with care and with due regard to the rights of innocent people.
Parades And Protests
- The Committee commends all those who sought and achieved local accommodation on the issues of Parades and Protests and additionally all who abided by the determinations of the Parades Commission, even when they did not agree with the determinations.
- The Committee deplores the events connected with and precipitated by the dispute between the Portadown District of the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition. Had all concerned heeded the clear call of the General Assembly that, if no local accommodation be reached, the determinations of the Parades Commission be obeyed, violence and widespread civil disorder would have been avoided.
- The Church and Government Committee commends the leadership shown by the Rev William Bingham and the chaplains of the Orange Order in their calls for the protest to be abandoned. The Committee calls upon the leadership of the Orange Order to implement their own stated aims and principles of Śliberty under the lawą and call off the protest at Drumcree and all other associated protests, and work towards a peaceful resolution of all situations of conflict.
- The disorder in Portadown over this weekend is inexcusable. Attacks on the security forces and the intimidation of their families by those who protest their loyalty is indefensible.
The Threshold Of Change
- We stand at present on the very threshold of the reconvening of the Assembly. The "Good Friday Agreement" provides a basis for this society to move towards one marked by inclusiveness and we call upon all to do their best to make this Agreement work. Obligations are laid upon all parties to fulfil the terms of the Agreement, including those elements which they do not like. Every party has an obligation to say and do those things which will create trust where there is understandable deep suspicion. The political landscape can be changed so that our energies can be deployed in invigorating pursuit of co-operation. The committee commends the willingness of political parties to engage directly with one another.
- The Committee welcomes all statements and acts that provide evidence that people are moving from terrorism to the pursuit of their political ideals within a violence free society. The signals sent from Sinn Fein that violence is a thing of the past are significant and welcome. All paramilitary groups can authenticate those signals by fulfilling the Agreement's clauses about decommissioning.
- We hold before ourselves the vision that since God loves all the people of this island in our political, cultural and religious diversity, we ought to strive to create a society for the next century which will be decisively different from the exclusive debilitating divisiveness of the present one.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive