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In a speech to be delivered today, Tuesday 17th September at 1.00pm in the Orchard Room of the Mansion House, Dublin, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Allen will tell the Irish Association of his hopes for a future where people will be able to celebrate their culture without dissension and without triumphalism.
"I long to see people able to celebrate their culture without dissension and without triumphalism. I long to see people accept each other as fellow citizens of this land . . . I long to see people recognise that every person born in this land or coming to its shores in search of hope and new life, can be recognised as a citizen without diminution of his or her status on grounds of religion or culture."
But while having these desires for the future Dr Allen will be expressing his views on the present situation and the difficulties to be overcome. "The Protestant feeling that far too many concessions were being made to Republican elements without any reciprocation . . . led to the second stand off at Drumcree in July."
"The parades issue raises the topic of CONSENT . . . in reality it is saying that certain groups can 'own' certain streets or areas . . . This cannot be the case."
"BOYCOTTING has been excused as punishing those who manned the barricades during the Drumcree stand off, but the truth is that in small towns and villages where Protestants are in the minority, sinister forces are creating conditions where every Protestant business is being targeted. There is no selection, it is widespread. That of course leads to the counter threat of boycotting of Roman Catholic businesses. This must be ended immediately and every person - politician, clergyman, leader and neighbour must act to that end."
"The events of the weekend . . . when Roman Catholic Churches were picketed may have been a result of frustration felt about the opposition to church parades . . . Yet they are unjustified and unchristian as they are denying the religious liberty that those picketing are demanding . . . The greater concern in places like Dunloy is that ordinary worshippers going to church on Sunday mornings are often subjected to abuse and taunts that make life most difficult and this matter should be dealt with by those in religious authority in these areas."
The Irish Association was founded in 1938 to help in the development of cultural, economic and social relations. It is a non-party and non-sectarian Association with the aim 'to make reason and goodwill take the place of passion and prejudice in Ireland, North and South.' The Association organises these lunchtime meetings regularly and invites prominent individuals to address a public audience that usually includes members of the Dail and Senate, the diplomatic services, the business community and the Associations members.
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