THE Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, has appealed for an end to sectarian attacks against the Protestant community and urged nationalists to find a new sense of responsibility to the community in which they live.
In a strongly worded statement yesterday, Dr Eames said he had to express "deep concerns at this time from within the Protestant community of Northern Ireland".
He said provocative words and statements must be avoided and the rights of both communities recognised.
In his statement, Dr Eames said: "In recent days, religious, political and community leaders of the nationalist community have spoken of anger, resentment and uncertainty and have asked for parity of esteem.
"I have already expressed my understanding of those feelings but it is important that there is a clear understanding of the feelings in the Protestant community also.
"I have always placed reconciliation and understanding between the communities high in my priorities. I believe the establishment of trust between our traditions after recent events demands openness and honesty on all sides. For that reason alone, I have to express deep concerns at this time from within the Protestant community of Northern Ireland.
"I have learned with great sadness and anger of arson and other attacks on Protestant church property, Protestant homes and individuals and Protestant business premises and of encouragement to boycott certain shops.
"I have been told of intimidation and threats. Some statements at rallies have been openly sectarian and addressed to the Protestant community. There is no excuse for such sectarianism.
I condemn these attacks and actions as I have constantly condemned such actions from the loyalist community.
"It has to be said that within the Protestant community there is a feeling of uncertainty which is far from a basis for rebuilding trust at present. Protestants to deserve parity of esteem and reassurance.
"Expressions of nationalist fears must be balanced by the recognition that among their Protestant neighbours there is a perception by many that their future is insecure, that their position has been eroded by events over which they have no control and that their genuine views are being misunderstood or ignored.
"Protestants too deserve recognition of their aspirations and a feeling of security that they do have a future in the land of their birth. But triumphalism is its own form of sectarianism and should play no part in our lives.
"Both communities need a new confidence in themselves and in each other. That confidence will alone start the process of trust.
"Both the British and Irish governments recognise that Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom and that its position can only be changed through the wishes of a majority of the people of the Province.
"That reality should give confidence to unionists but also to allow them to show generosity of spirit towards their neighbours. Beyond their anger at recent events, nationalists must find a new sense of belonging, identity with and responsibility to the community in which they live.
"The present levels of sectarian attitudes and attacks must stop if we are to begin to see a way ahead. Provocative words must be avoided. The rights of both communities must be recognised.
"I appeal to leaders in the nationalist community to do all in their power to prevent sectarian attacks against the Protestant community, and I appeal to all with influence in the unionist community to restrain those who would revert to violence.
"We will all have so much to lose in the way of tourism, jobs, investment and world esteem if the present unrest continues. Behind the anger and resentment in both communities I am convinced that there is a wealth of goodwill.
"The current level of sectarianism continues to prevent that goodwill influencing the process of healing our wounds."