Sir, – The ancient quarrel of Northern Ireland may have transferred from the streets to the chamber of the Assembly but its flesh, guts and sinews live on.
Following the Church of Ireland synod in Armagh during May, Bishop Harold Miller of Down and Dromore identified what lies at the troubled heart of that quarrel’s persistence as a problem of leadership. The two main parties, the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin, derive a great deal of their support from single-identity communities and it is in the parties’ interest to continue to do so. In the absence of a coherent political vision for a shared future, Dr Miller believes that herein may lie a role for the churches – all the churches. He said that the churches have been part of Northern Ireland’s problem but that current relations between them have never been better. He found himself surrounded by an enthusiastic Roman Catholic congregation following his 2008 homily at a novena in Belfast’s Clonard monastery. However, he said, if the churches are to join forces in seeking a prophetic vision, it must be one that all the people of Northern Ireland, whatever their persuasion, can buy into.
Meanwhile there is no real vision for a shared future; only a vague notion wherein a future is shared out. – Yours, etc,
PAUL LOUGHLIN,
Adelaide Street,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Having watched the recent events in Northern Ireland in the media, it would seem to me that those whose job it is to promote this part of the world have as much chance of salvaging the remains of the Titanic as they have their city's reputation as a tourist attraction. The actions of those involved in these marches would appear to be very shortsighted, as the only result will be to contribute further to the economic demise of the land they seem so determined to protect. – Yours, etc,
AISLING DELAHUNTY,
Claregate Street,
Kildare.