Press Releases05 Jul 13

Bishop Harold Miller Welcomes Initiatives for pre–Twelfth Dialogue in North Belfast

The Bishop of Down & Dromore, the Rt Revd Harold Miller, today welcomes the initiative being shown by the local lodges of the Orange Order to engage in face–to–face dialogue with the Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents’ Association (CARA) ahead of Twelfth of July marching in Ardoyne, as called for by the Twaddell Avenue and Woodvale Residents’ Association yesterday. Bishop Miller is the senior bishop of the Northern Province of the Church of Ireland while the Archbishop of Armagh is away.

Bishop Miller says, ‘This initiative between the Orange Order and local residents is a welcome move ahead of the marching season in this area which has previously been a contentious flashpoint. It is a sign of leadership to seek to engage in mutually respectful dialogue. Demonstrating the desire to create the right atmosphere for peaceful expressions of culture and to have proper regard for people of all backgrounds and opinions who live, work and contribute to community life in these neighbourhoods is to be commended. We can be optimistic that our society will thrive when we all make every effort to co–operate and share the space in which we live and to engage with one another in a spirit of peace and generosity.’