I am not a Politician. I am a committed Christian who has served as a Pastor and Community Leader within west and north Belfast (my home community) since 1982. How sad to see five of our Senior Politicians on The View making it clear with their words and body language how divided they really are. It is my opinion that it did not have to come to this. For 40 days we stood between Twaddell and Ardoyne upholding the Cross as a symbol of peace between both communities. During those days I wrote to every political party, to the Parades Commission, to the PSNI, and to the Orange Order suggesting a possible way out of the stand-off in north Belfast. During those same days I met with senior politicians. I also met with four members of The Grand Lodge of Ireland, and I received several positive responses. I was told that our suggestions were plausible and worth considering, but that there were secret talks taking place between all the main players in an attempt to resolve that particular situation. I am therefore amazed that the Parades Commission has stated a lack of engagement as a main reason for its determination. Anyway, there are many of us, who are not in politics, who have been trying to give positive leadership within our communities, and we will continue to do so. During the above 40 days I had stated several times that if the situation in north Belfast was not resolved by Good Friday that tensions will increase in the run up to the 12th July and could lead to further violence. The tensions are here! I now pray that the violence bit is proved to be wrong.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 22:38:34 +0000
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