RECONCILIATION in Northern Ireland is "not something to be attempted only after a political solution has been found", the new Catholic Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, said at his installation in Armagh cathedral yesterday.
The 57 year old Archbishop Brady, who took over from Cardinal Cabal Daly last month, said it was not something to be "put on a long finger" or left up to religious leaders. "It belongs to all men and women of goodwill."
The new Primate placed the search for reconciliation in a European context, saying the "iron curtain" had not disappeared from people's hearts and heads. Europe is calling out for reconciliation. Reconciliation between people and God after so much suffering. Reconciliation between the different churches after so much conflict. Reconciliation of European people among themselves after so much war. So our situation is not unique but it is urgent.
"Trust is also important in the quest for peace. A minimum degree of trust is the first step. The task is to rebuild trust on all sides. It will be a slow process. It will involve understanding the feelings of others. It will mean seeing the point of view of the other person and treating it with respect."
Archbishop Brady also spoke of the importance of a person's sense of identity. He stressed that all Christians were "children of a loving and good God" who by Baptism "become sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ. We love and respect the word of God. These are the piers of the bridge which can unite us. They are also part of our identity".
The President, Mrs Robinson, led many civil and political representatives at the ceremony. Also present were the Lord Lieutenant of Armagh, Lord Caledon, representing the queen; the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, and Lady Mayhew; the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen; the Under Secretary of State, Mr Michael Ancram; the former Taoiseach, Mr Liam Cosgrave; the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy; the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Liam Naughton; the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern; former Tanaiste, Mr John Wilson; the Minister of State. Mr Austin Currie; Louth deputies, Mr Dermot Ahern and Mr Seamus Kirk; and Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Armagh and South Down MPs. Mr Ken Maginnis, Mr Seamus Mallon and Mr Eddie McGrady.
The Ulster Unionist mayor of Armagh, Mr Jim Speers, was not present as he was in the US on council business. The local council was represented by the SDLP deputy mayor, Mr Joseph McGleenan.
Also present was the incoming RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, and the Garda Deputy Commissioner, Mr P.J. Moran.
A large body of Catholic prelates from Ireland and abroad were led by Cardinal Daly; Cardinal Francis Arinze, the head of the church's Council for Interfaith dialogue; Cardinal Basil Hume, of Westminster; and Cardinal Thomas Winning, of Glasgow; Archbishop Desmond Connell, of Dublin; Archbishop Dermot Clifford, of Cashel; Archbishop Michael Neary, of Tuam; and Archbishop Thomas White, an Irish born Vatican diplomat.
Representatives of other churches included the Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames; the Methodist President, Rev Kenneth Best; the former Presbyterian Moderator, Dr John Ross; the chairman of the Jewish Representative Council, Mr Martin Simmons; the general secretary of the Irish Council of Churches, Mr David Stevens; and Dr John Morrow, from the Irish School of Ecumenics.
Members of the diplomatic corps present included the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luciano Storero; the US ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith; and the ambassadors of Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and South Africa.