Sir, - Mr Brian FitzPatrick of the Catalyst group (October 14th) has falsely represented me. Contrary to his allegation, I have not accused Archbishop Empey of "instigating" a campaign to ban Orangemen from the Church of the Ascension, Drumcree. On the contrary, I referred to the call by Archbishop Empey and a minority of Church of Ireland clergy to deny Orangemen access to a religious service.
Further, Mr FitzPatrick makes two sins of omission in his letter. First, he fails to record that his demand to Rev Pickering, the rector at Drumcree, was not supported by well over three-quarters of Church of Ireland clergy and most of those who did were ministering in or, like himself, associated with the Republic. Second, he accuses me of making political insights without recording his own well known history of anti-unionist political involvement.
Mr FitzPatrick's approach, and that of Archbishop Empey, contrasts markedly with that of Archbishop Brady who, when they were threatening to block the public highway, immediately identified himself with his fellow Roman Catholics and held a service in the local chapel.
While disavowing violence, most Anglicans, clergy and laity, and most Protestants of other denominations in Northern Ireland will support Rev Pickering in his refusal to deny the right to attend Christian worship. If Mr FitzPatrick believes the tragic situation at Drumcree will be permanently resolved on the basis of a unilateral submission to the intolerance of Mr Brendan McKenna, he is living in an ivory tower. - Yours, etc.,
Rt Hon John D. Taylor, MP,
House of Commons,
London SW1.