The following is the text of yesterday's statement by the Catholic Primate of All-Ireland:
Now that the people of Northern Ireland have elected the members of the new Assembly, the most urgent need is for an atmosphere of peace in which trust can be established and the Assembly can settle down to work.
The next hurdle to be faced on the road to achieving that peace and trust is the parade by the Orange Order at Drumcree. It is vital that it should not be once more an occasion of destruction and rioting as in recent years. This not only threatens economic development in the Portadown area but in Northern Ireland as a whole. It sours community relations in the town throughout the whole year. It could put at risk the whole peace process, endangering as it does, property, jobs and even human life itself. Every effort must be made to ensure that there is no repeat performance.
The Catholics of Portadown recognise and accept the right of the Orange Order to parade to Drumcree and their right to hold a religious service there. I am sure that the vast majority of Protestants would be as upset as I was that last year Catholics were prevented by the security situation during the Drumcree march from getting to Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon. I am very anxious that this does not happen again this year. I hope that the residents and the Orange Order may find an accommodation, even at this late stage, which respects the rights of all to attend their place of worship. Such an accommodation would at once eliminate the need for a determination by the Parades Commission, and the danger of disruption in the life of the community.
The efforts of community workers to control the violent elements in their own community must be recognised and fully supported. I applaud the efforts made to oppose those who have engaged in sectarian attacks on Protestants living in Catholic areas. I condemn those attacks without reservation.
There is much talk now of building a new Northern Ireland. To do so all of us need to understand each other better. Catholics need to understand the fears of Protestants and Protestants have to appreciate the concerns of Catholics.
The process of healing the hurts and calming the fears must begin now. People of influence in both communities can do a lot to help resolve conflict and oppose violence. People of courage can uphold what is fair and reasonable. People of faith can pray that we do not squander the glorious opportunity for a new beginning.