Well Holy God, isn't it great! Or, as Christy Moore sang in Lisdoonvarna, ". . . isn't it grand." There sitting side-by-side, albeit at an angle, the über-British, pope-hating Rev Ian Paisley and traditional Catholic, fáinne-wearing, Easter-lily touting Gerry Adams, and everyone going "hip-hip-hurray," writes Patsy McGarry
Did you ever see the like?
And the leaders of our four main churches out of the traps with a statement before you could utter "God bless them".
"Our churches have long encouraged local politicians to work towards a devolved government for Northern Ireland," they said. "It is important that everybody continues to build a country where all are valued, difference is respected and peace and harmony can flourish," they said.
And so say all of us.
But, hark! (a voice, like thunder, spake) - the leaders of our four main churches? Yes, Catholic primate Archbishop Seán Brady, Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper, Presbyterian moderator Dr David Clarke and Methodist president Rev Ivan McElhinney.
The same church leaders who, on March 22nd, addressed the North's politicians about "the tremendous responsibility you now share in leading our community forward". Yes, this is the same Presbyterian Church whose former moderator, Dr Harry Uprichard, refused last June to take part in a religious service for deceased members of the RUC because a Catholic priest would be present.
Yes, this is the same Church of Ireland which in 1999, and every year since, has demanded that three pledges be taken by Orangemen before their July service at Drumcree church and, when ignored, has responded "Oh, alright so". Or along similar lines.
Yes, of course, it is the same Catholic Church which in September 1998, months after the Belfast Agreement was signed, published a document by the bishops of these islands which "clarified" the ban on Catholics ever taking communion in a Protestant/Reformed church, and vice versa unless the Protestant was in extremis.
And as for the poor Methodists, bless them? Just 12,000 in the Republic. Probably 50,000 in Northern Ireland. When you're that small you're lovely to everyone, and they are. Now I know that in their statement last Monday the four church leaders also pledged themselves "to work within our communities to build greater trust and understanding".
I know too that on March 15th, Archbishop Brady took part in the Armagh ceremonies enthroning his counterpart, Archbishop Harper, as Church of Ireland primate of All-Ireland.
And I know Archbishop Brady attended the 2004 installation of Dr Ken Newell as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, much to the consternation of the Rev Ian Paisley. I know all that.
And I was there on March 8th last when the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, became the first holder of that office, ever, (sad, but true) to attend a communion service at the Church of Ireland Theological College in Rathmines.
It was led by his Church of Ireland counterpart Archbishop John Neill. Archbishop Martin did not, of course, take Communion. Yes I know about all those welcome advances, and more, but it has to be said that, together, our four major churches are like the lazy student. They "could do more".
In fairness the Church of Ireland, with its Hard Gospel project, is addressing sectarianism within with commitment and vigour and deserves praise for giving worthwhile example.
But what are we to do with those Presbyterians and Catholics so locked into their separate doctrinal universes? And who are so determined to remain in a world where "difference is respected" as it was put in Monday's statement ". . . and peace and harmony can flourish".
Now "difference" is grand but what they speak of seems more like prejudice in practice and promotes anything but "peace and harmony". The refusal of some Presbyterians to take part in prayer services involving Catholic priests may be an exercise of conscience but it looks uncannily like judgment to many outside, not least as other Presbyterians have no such inhibitions. But if you are Catholic, a member of what is by far the largest Christian denomination on the island, representing an 86.8 per cent majority in the Republic and 44 per cent in Northern Ireland, you are completely free to exercise your conscience . . . as long as it is in line with the Church's teaching authority (the Magisterium).
The situation is precisely coincident with that offered by Henry Ford when it came to the colour of his cars. You could have any colour you wanted, he said, "as long as it is black".
And if in the Catholic Church your exercise of conscience is not "black", there are consequences. As Fr Iggy O'Donovan found out. Last Easter he invited the local Church of Ireland priest in Drogheda, Rev Michael Graham, to celebrate the Eucharist with himself and two fellow Augustinians to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, and as a mark of reconciliation following the Love Ulster riot in Dublin earlier last year.
For his temerity, Fr O'Donovan was silenced by Rome and made agree to publish a statement saying he was very, very wrong, had been very, very bold, was very, very sorry and would never ever do such a thing again.
Then they took away his teaching job in Rome.
On grounds of conscience, it wants the State to continue to fund its Cura pregnancy counselling service, while refusing to distribute the State-sponsored Positive Options leaflet as it gives the names of services which can provide information on abortion.If you do not allow members to exercise conscience in good faith when it comes to practice, how can you seriously expect the State to take you seriously when you demand rights based on freedom of conscience?
Similarly, how can you and fellow churches expect to be taken seriously when you urge peace, love and harmony on politicians while practising difference yourselves. You can't.