The Church of Ireland Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames, has called on Orangemen to leave Drumcree and return to their homes, to allow "space" for a solution to be negotiated.
Interviewed yesterday on RTE Radio's This Week programme, Dr Eames was first asked for his reaction to the killing of three boys in an arson attack on their home in Ballymoney, Co Antrim. He replied: "I think I was one of the first to hear the news early this morning for various reasons and I was totally aghast, totally sickened. I utterly, utterly condemn it. But what I want to say to you is a direct reference to Drumcree, if I may. These Orangemen came out to attend a service in the parish church a week ago. They've been doing it, as we all in Ireland now know, for 150 years - Church of Ireland services, statutory services, open to anyone. But I have to say to them now, over the past week they have indulged in a protest.
"That protest has been to challenge a lawful decision, a part of our law. Again this morning, a ruling was made by the Parades Commission which said that they had to take an alternative route. I have to say to them as the archbishop, they came to that service. I told them before the service what I expected of them in terms of their behaviour. They attended the service.
"We have seen scenes that certainly many of them would wish to distance themselves from. But nevertheless, so much that has happened has been linked to the protest at Drumcree. I now believe the time has come. They have made their point. They should leave the entire Drumcree area. They should return to their homes and they should allow those who are negotiating a solution to this, space to get on with the job.
"The Church of Ireland is not going to condone the violence, it's not going to condone the confrontation. And as far as I am concerned, I totally distance the Church of Ireland from what's going on."
Asked if he thought the Orangemen would listen to him, the archbishop said: "I don't know. But the point is, with the greatest respect, whether they listen to me or not, I am making the position of the Church of Ireland perfectly clear. I am making the position that I feel as a church leader at the moment clear. I have done everything in my power to reach an accommodation. I have worked day and night over the past week with many, many others trying to reach an accommodation which would obviously bring dignity to both sides. It is now I believe the time, in the light of everything that's happened, to say: `What is happening at Drumcree is wrong. What is being done in the name of Protestantism is wrong.' It does not represent the feelings of the vast majority of people that I minister to, and I want to categorically state that on a Sunday when so many of us are praying to God for guidance and strength."
So you would like to see the Orange Order march back to Portadown on the road they came by?
"I don't know what way they will leave, but I want them to leave."
Dr Eames, those are very strong words for the Orangemen there. Is there an argument that a statement like that could have been made earlier?
"Everybody in this society has something to answer for. Everyone in Ireland has something to answer for. I have attempted, as I thought it was right as I saw the situation developing, to try and find accommodation for both sides. Because people have got to live together on this island. People have got to find ways of living together. Unfortunately, that has not seemed possible this week. The efforts are being made now with the government-directed talks. I want to see space given for those talks to proceed. But I believe nothing, nothing, the supporters and those who are hangers-on to this situation, nothing is worth the lives of three little children."
Asked whether the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road residents should talk face to face at this stage, Dr Eames said:
"I don't want to get into detail on this Sunday. I have made my appeal. I have issued my appeal to them in the light of all that I know and all I have heard and, if I may say so, all I have endured this week. I believe many, many people will support what I am saying. I just pray that people will understand that every attempt has been made to find accommodation. Now I believe is the time for that action to be taken. Let them go home. Let them realise they have made their point before the world. Let us now find other ways of them arguing their case."
Finally, do you have any words of comfort for the relatives of the three boys in Ballymoney?
"I have to tell you that when I heard this news this morning, my heart broke. I'm the father of two sons, grown up now, and the grandfather of two little children. I can only say that over the period of my primacy I have seen so many broken hearts, so many families - Protestant and Catholic - totally bereft because of the hatred and the violence that I have tried to dedicate my primacy to overcoming. But there are times when the only thing you can say as a human being to a human being, to let them know something of the strength of revulsion there is in this community. Let them in the Christian hope realise that God is not neglecting them, not deserting them. My prayer is that somehow the presence of Christ will give them strength."