Press Releases
Statement by the Representative Church Body
The Representative Church Body is an incorporated trustee body which is the legal owner in trust of most of the property of the Church of Ireland.
In this capacity as a holding trustee, it is the legal owner of the Church, the old graveyard, the rectory and the rectory fields in the parish of Drumcree at Portadown. The parish hall and an extension to the graveyard are held by local trustees.
The Representative Church Body has not granted permission to the Orange Order or to anyone else to occupy or otherwise use Church property at Drumcree. The use of Church property for political purposes, demonstrations or violence is unequivocally deplored and condemned.
We condemn utterly all sectarian attacks on people and property in Northern Ireland and in particular the vile murders at Ballymoney. We call upon the Portadown District of the Orange Order to cease using and to end their occupation of Church property at Drumcree forthwith.
We fully support the efforts of the Primate, Archbishop Eames, to resolve the tragic problems facing the community in Northern Ireland and his clear statement disassociating the Church of Ireland from the violent confrontation at Drumcree.
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH