The attacks of radical groups continue in Northern Ireland, in spite of the recent declaration of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) that it is laying down its arms and renouncing any form of violent struggle to obtain its goals. Places of work, homes, schools and even churches are all the targets of attacks. So it has been a hot summer for Northern Ireland. The attacks began in July and required an increased presence of the armed forces outside the most frequented public places, in defence of the civilian population. Last week, the Catholic schools of St. Louis at Ballymena and St. Mary at Harryville were violently attacked with incendiary bombs. The attack on Saint Louis caused the total destruction of one classroom and the serious damage of ten others. Two youths, one aged 13, the other 15, were detained by the police. The condemnation of all the political and religious authorities of the country was immediate and unconditional. The Minister of Education Angela Smith spoke of a “deplorable” incident. “An attack like this she said is totally unacceptable and there is no possible justification or excuse for this type of behaviour”. The Catholic bishop of Down and Connor, Patrick Walsh, immediately visited the scenes of the arson attacks and met the headmasters and staff of the two schools. “It is reassuring says a press release put out by the diocese that many political representatives have condemned these attacks, but it is now of crucial importance that the political and civil authorities work together, and be seen together, also in the streets of the city. In this grave situation, partisan political interests must be put to one side and attention concentrated on the good of the whole community. This is the time for courageous leadership”. The Anglican community of Northern Ireland has joined with the Catholic Church in condemning the attacks. The leader of the Church of Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, declared that “no justification and no excuse exist” for the attacks being perpetrated on a daily basis. “Innocent people and whole families are exposed to grave dangers solely due to their confessional ties or political ideas. Protestants and Catholics”, continued Eames, “must condemn every form and every act of violence”. Three leading Presbyterian pastors in Ahoghill, county Arntrim – including Harry Uprichard, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland – have expressed similar views, condemning “without reservation the recent attacks” in their town and appealing to those who perpetrated them to “desist from their own violent aims”. “It is deeply shocking to discover says the Anglican bishop of Connor, Alan Harper that it is young teenagers who are involved in these acts of intimidation, violence and destruction” and this fact prompts “all Christians” to “proclaim with words and actions the Gospel of Reconciliation: nothing in the world is more important at this time than a strong commitment to reconciliation”.
