Catholic and Church of Ireland archbishops have urged prayers of peace and reconciliation, as the standoff over the Drumcree parade in Portadown continues a week after it was due to happen.
Orange Order members were unsuccessful in their attempt to march down the Garvaghy Road again on Saturday evening. Thousands gathered in support of nationalist residents who are opposed to the march, blocking the road.
Catholic Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and his Church of Ireland counterpart Archbishop John McDowell have invited people across the island of Ireland to pray for reconciliation. They have released a video of them reciting Saint Francis of Assisi’s Prayer for Peace, as his feast day is celebrated on Sunday.
In a joint statement with the video, the archbishops said they “remain willing to help guide people towards peace” out of the dispute; calling on Christians “to consider what is generous and neighbourly”.
Archbishops Eamon and John said: “We recognise that sincere views, painful histories and important issues that are at stake. We ask a question that reaches beyond the immediate situation: ‘How can we be good neighbours to each other?’ We are calling on everyone to build patiently on the efforts already made to foster mutual trust and understanding between different traditions. We also affirm the importance of respecting the rule of law and using peaceful, democratic processes, while asking Christians to consider what is generous and neighbourly, and what helps build peace and the common good.”
“We acknowledge the real hurt left by past violence, and the fragility of the present situation. We caution against language that inflames division and urge people to make space for a peaceful way forward. We call for an urgent, constructive, inclusive and reconciling initiative to help find a way through this crisis. We again acknowledge our own failings, while we also feel deeply about the concerns of people in Drumcree and the wider community. We remain willing to help guide people towards peace and a better future for all.
"We ask all Christians, and all people of good will, on the island and beyond, to pray for peace, healing and reconciliation at this time. The significance of the Prayer of Saint Francis is that it asks for the grace to bring love where there is hatred, pardon where there is offence, and hope where there is despair. This prayer offers a way to pray, and a challenge to live: to let the love of God and neighbour shape our words and actions,” the archbishops concluded.
A fresh legal challenge against the march will be heard at Belfast's Court of Appeal on Monday.