Ecumenists pray at flashpoint

ABOUT 200 people from both the upper and lower Ormeau Road in south Belfast held a reconciliation service at the foot of a large…

ABOUT 200 people from both the upper and lower Ormeau Road in south Belfast held a reconciliation service at the foot of a large wooden cross yesterday.

After prayers and singing in Ormeau Park, they marched to Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church for an ecumenical service.

The event was organised by Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship, whose members represent all the main denominations in the upper Ormeau Road.

There have been serious confrontations between nationalist residents, loyalists and the RUC in recent times over Orange marches.

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Father Paul Symonds said: "Easter is a good time to show that our faith is in the one and the same Lord Jesus and despite what denominational differences we may have, that Christ's Passion is central to all our beliefs."

The Rev Jim Campbell of Cooke Church said: "We wanted, to do something that might help make the Ormeau Bridge a bridge and not a barrier."