Press Releases
BISHOP'S PLEA FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE IN EAST BELFAST
Following his recent visit to East Belfast, the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Harold Miller, has issued the following statement:
“The present situation of conflict in East Belfast is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue. I have personally met with the residents of both Clandeboye Gardens and Cluan Place and heard, first hand, of the terror and distress they have experienced. Residents on both sides of that ‘dividing wall’ are victims. They have had their homes damaged, their children living in fear and their very lives threatened, and appear to be being used as pawns in a paramilitary game which will have no winners.
"I ask all politicians and community leaders to join with me, and with other church leaders to say that the people of East Belfast want peace, and to demand that those perpetrating the violence in this situation stop immediately, before someone is killed.
We have already seen the devastation that has taken place in North Belfast, and do not want to see the same thing happen in East Belfast. May God give us all strength to work together, no matter what the odds, for the peace which he wants in our divided city, which is our only hope for the future”.
Further information from:
THE DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
c/o The See House
32 Knockdene Park South
Belfast
BT5 7AB
Tel: 028 9047 1973
Fax: 028 9065 0584
Email:Bishop of Down and Dromore
DCO: Betty McLaughlin