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Presbyterian Moderator Dr Alastair Dunlop has expressed concern for potential trouble over the issue of parades.
While welcoming the appeals of the Orange Order for people not to be involved in violence the Moderator said, 'I am deeply concerned by the potential for trouble associated with the unresolved dispute between the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition and the Portadown District of the Orange Order and by its exploitation by paramilitary groups.'
'It is imperative that people abide by the law,' continued Dr Dunlop. 'Since in past years protests have got out of control and have resulted in intimidation and death and chaos across much of Northern Ireland, I would encourage people to restrain themselves from indulging in public protests about things that they do not like, when those protests are likely to get out of hand and put unreasonable pressure on the security forces.
Dr Dunlop was echoing the following statement issued today by the Presbyterian Church and Government Committee.
We are appalled by the premeditated murder of Ciaran Cummings in Antrim this week and we offer our sympathy to his family and to that part of the community from which he comes.
We welcome the appeals of the Orange Order for people not to be involved in violence. However, we are deeply concerned by the potential for trouble associated with the unresolved dispute between the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition and the Portadown District of the Orange Order and by its exploitation by paramilitary groups.
We know that efforts have been made to resolve the dispute which have so far proved unsuccessful. We welcome the progress recently made as a result of the initiative of Archbishop Eames. That initiative should be sustained and built upon.
Since people from all our backgrounds matter to God, who treats us with generosity which we do not deserve, we owe an obligation to him to treat each other is a similar way.
We call upon people to continue to pray for peace in all parts of our community and for those who are seeking a widespread acceptable resolution to this long-standing dispute.
The Parades Commission is the lawfully appointed body charged with responsibility to issue Determinations, which should be obeyed in spirit and letter, whether the disputants agree with them or not. The disputants owe this to the wider community which has suffered untold damage year after year as a result of this local difficulty.
We note the Parades Commission Determination that "the return parade shall retrace the outward route... or alternatively parade participants shall disperse no later than 2.30 from Drumcree Parish Church."
It is imperative that people abide by the law. Since in past years protests have got out of control and have resulted in intimidation and death and chaos across much of Northern Ireland, we would encourage people to restrain themselves from indulging in public protests about things that they do not like, when those protests are likely to get out of hand and put unreasonable pressure on the security forces.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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