Press Releases
STATEMENT BY THE MOST REVEREND DR ROBIN EAMES ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH, PRIMATE OF ALL IRELAND
" On behalf of the clergy and people of the Church of Ireland in Armagh Diocese I extend my prayerful sympathy to the Roman Catholic clergy and people of the Parish of Mullavilly and to Archbishop Brady on the loss of their church and condemn those responsible without reservation.
"The past few days have witnessed fire attacks on churches, church halls and premises in various parts of Northern Ireland. Those attacks have horrified and disgusted all the right-thinking people in this community. Those who carry out such attacks cannot claim and must not be allowed to claim that they are acting on behalf of the vast majority of decent people in either of our communities. Their actions cannot be excuses, let alone justified for any warped political or religious reason. They are acting for themselves. But their actions are one more example of the sickness which lies at the root of so many of our problems here - naked, corrosive sectarianism. However, to burn deliberately a place of any tradition dedicated to the worship of Almighty God is to take sectarianism to the ultimate limit. If these attacks continue, our entire society will be dragged into a new nightmare of division and suffering. No support or encouragement either by word or action - or by silence - must be given to such actions at this time."
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH