The following is the text of a message issued yesterday by the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Dr Robin Eames:
NORTHERN Ireland cannot be allowed to face a repetition of the events of last summer. During the past year continuous and sincere efforts have been made by many individuals and groups of goodwill to encourage a resolution of the problems associated with marches and demonstrations.
Those efforts continue and it is important for the community at large to know that every opportunity has been taken to encourage accommodation. I pay tribute to the courage, integrity and hard work of the many, not least to those from within the churches, who have devoted such time to their attempts to reach satisfactory solutions.
Even in those cases where local agreements have been impossible I believe it is important to recognise that much has been achieved in defining and describing what is important to each tradition.
It is abundantly clear that the problems the community faces in resolving these issues is but a cameo of the wider and deeper divisions of the province at large.
A political resolution of our divisions which removes the uncertainty, suspicion and apprehension holds the key to the resolution of so many of those obstacles to accommodation.
Our community longs for political progress which will reflect the overwhelming desire of the majority of Protestants and Roman Catholics to live at peace in a stable and just society.
We have been encouraged by the statements of those organising marches and those organising protests that they do not wish to do so outside the law.
But the responsibility on all who encourage public demonstrations is grave and cannot be ignored. There are those elements in society only too ready to manipulate public demonstrations in ways which will provoke violence.
On the fringe of those who believe they have a right to march and on the fringe of those who protest are those who welcome the opportunity to provoke trouble and to issue threats. That danger is ever-present and must not be forgotten.
Parades to and from a place of worship present particular issues of principle for the Christian Church. The freedom to worship Almighty God according to individual conscience has long been a cherished ideal in a democracy and must continue to be so. Worship is a privilege and must not be an excuse to demonstrate in ways which further divide society.
As the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh I am particularly concerned at this time for the situation which surrounds the attendance of members of the Orange Order in Portadown at Morning Prayer in Drumcree Parish Church on Sunday, July 6th.
In meetings with the officers concerned I have made it plain that attendance at divine worship is open to anyone. But I have also made it plain that I cannot and will not contemplate attendance at a church service being used by anyone as an opportunity to oppose the law of the land or to confront the lawful forces of law and order.
I welcome the undertaking that parish property will be respected in ways which will underline the integrity, sanctity and independence of the church. I have communicated this assurance to the trustees of the parochial property at Drumcree.
At this time of apprehension I believe I reflect the mood and views of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland and beyond as we pray that dignity, mutual respect and the equal rights to march and to object may be exercised in ways that reflect the decency which has always characterised the vast majority of our people.
Finally, I believe at this time that the voice of what is called the "silent majority" of Protestants and Roman Catholics must be heard and recognised. In God's name let none of us by word or action condemn Northern Ireland to a period of further violence, suffering and division. Let us move forward together on the long haul to resolving the problems of which the parades issues are merely a part.