Sunday 10th February 2002

“In this community of differing religious and political loyalties loyalty to the Queen is a priority for many people. That loyalty is expressed in various ways.

“Sadly, some of those expressions are far removed from the dignity and dedication shown by Her Majesty. In fact what often appears as the face of loyalism here is a complete contradiction of the ideals for which the Queen has stood…

“But in this community the symbolism of allegiance to the Queen is just as legitimate as any other loyalty. It is an identification of the ethos of a large part of this society. As we come to recognise those differing loyalties we are reminded of the need to respect and accept the legitimacy of loyalties as vital for a pluralist society.

“Such recognition is a true sign of the maturity which we pray will soon mark this community…

“We thank God for the example Elizabeth II has set in a changing world. We pray that those noble attributes of service, understanding, recognition of difference and human dignity we associate with her reign may be the criteria by which we judge what is worthwhile in society here…”