Presbyterian call for compromise on Northern parades

Decisions of the Parades Commission in Northern Ireland must be respected, Rev John Dunlop, a member of the Presbyterian Church and Government Committee, has emphasised.

At a press conference announcing details of next week's General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which takes place in Belfast, Dr Dunlop, who served on the Parades Commission, said: "It is very important that the rule of law is respected to avoid anarchy." He referred to Dunloy and the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast, where decisions by the commission to cancel marches were respected on all sides.

Dr Dunlop was speaking about the Church and Government Committee report for the general assembly which concludes that the commission is a mechanism for overcoming "the relentless pursuit of personal autonomy and group rights, without those being balanced by the needs of the wider community."

In its report, the committee refers to the continuing "excellent economic performance of the Republic. . ." and the growing pluralism there which is "leading to a greater emphasis on secular everything. There is a growing lack of interest in church attendance, particularly among the Roman Catholic community, where the fall-off is dramatic."

Dr Dunlop referred to "the enormous pressure on the farming community in Northern Ireland, including a significant number of Presbyterians," - farm incomes dropped by 37 per cent last year. He attributed the drop to BSE and the strength of sterling. On decommissioning, the report says that those who signed up for the Mitchell principles "are under a moral obligation actively to pursue the decommissioning of weapons. Paramilitary groups, whose members would be released from prison as a part of the Agreement, owe it to the rest of the community to act on this quickly and thereby build confidence that we are facing a new future." The report concludes that "particular responsibility may devolve on the Government of the Republic of Ireland to see that this happens since it is thought that most weapons are stored within its territory".

It says that particular heed must be paid to the victims of violence and their families since many of them "have truly received a life sentence."

Other matters dealt with at yesterday's press conference included concerns over Church investments in the arms industry, its work in Indonesia and Sudan, a new programme which will assist congregations in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, and an initiative to deepen the spiritual life of members. The Moderator-designate, Dr John Dixon, said his theme for the year would be "redeemed with grace to relate with grace." The general assembly begins next Monday, continuing to Friday, June 5th, and will be attended by 1,300 elders and ministers.