The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, has described as "disappointing and shocking" attempts by elements in the Orange Order to discipline a leading Ulster Unionist who attended the funeral Mass of three Catholic boys killed in the Omagh bomb.
The UUP chairman, Mr Dennis Rogan, attended Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church in Buncrana, Co Donegal, last August. It is understood that hardline elements in Belfast are asking the Orange Order to take action against him. The order advises its members not to attend Catholic services.
Archbishop Eames said that in the days following the Omagh bombing the people of Northern Ireland were united in grief and Mr Rogan had been making "a symbolic gesture of Christian charity" which he fully supported. It would be tragic if the UUP chairman was expelled from the order, and he appealed for it not to take such action.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, also said Mr Rogan should not be expelled. He said he had been delighted to see Mr Rogan at the funerals and commended him for having the courage to attend.
The Presbyterian Moderator, Dr John Dixon, said that while he did not wish to lecture the Orange Order or any organisation at such a time as Omagh, not attending the funerals would almost have been a denial of Christian love.
The Methodist President, the Rev David Kerr, said Mr Rogan had simply expressed his common humanity and attempted to share in the grief and sorrow of his fellow human beings.
The leaders of the four main churches yesterday launched an campaign declaring that Christianity is at the heart of the millennium. A poster depicts the number 2000 with the word "Christianity' at the bottom. The poster will be displayed at 48 sites in Northern Ireland and the Republic for three weeks from December 13th.