Fear returns

Fears that were thought to have vanished have resurfaced in Northern Ireland; the bloody past is resurging, undermining the dialogue begun with the historical Good Friday agreement of 1998 that established a ceasefire between the Protestant paramilitary groups and the IRA, the Catholic and Republican militia that aimed at unifying the province to the rest of Ireland. On Saturday March 7, a commando of dissident Republicans of the Real IRA – the Republican wing opposed to the peace process – attacked with gunfire Massereene British Army Barracks in the county of Antrim, half an hour from Belfast. Two soldiers were killed and four were seriously injured. 48 hours later, at Craigavon, in County Armagh, a policeman was shot dead by gunfire during a terrorist attack.Unanimous condemnation. Msgr. Noel Treanor, bishop of the diocese of Down and Connor that includes the Massereene army base, and Alan Harper, Anglican archbishop of Armagh, primate of All Ireland, along with all the political and religious leadership expressed strong condemnation of the attack.” It has been clear for some time that there are forces of evil intent on destabilising our community and returning to days of confrontation such as we knew in the past but have been steadily working to move beyond”, the archbishop declared. Thus, he added, “across our community, efforts must be redoubled to create a respectful and inclusive society that ensures that there is no place in our midst for agents of terror”. “”There must be no support from people in our community to those who are trying to lead our society towards destruction and towards the horrors of a violent past,” Msgr. Treanor told Sir. In the wake of these events, “all citizens are called to redouble their efforts to build a pacific society in order to achieve justice and reconciliation through the patient dialogue of the political process. This process was beneficial to everyone. Those who are suggesting other means are trying to destroy our future and our hope. Such a people have to know that all responsible citizens are rejecting the use of force.” “I call on those who are holding relevant information to bring the authors of these attacks to the justice by informing the police,” said Mgr Treanor. “I also call on young people not to turn to the use of violence, which, once there, cannot but destroy life and undermine society. All those who have lived and suffered violence over the past few decades, knows it,” concluded Mgr Treanor. On March 9, at the opening session of its Spring General Meeting, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a statement on the attack at Massereene. “”The people of Ireland – says the statement – have overwhelmingly rejected the use of violence as a means of achieving political ends. Those who propose any other way wreck our future and destroy hope. We call on all citizens to redouble their efforts to build a peaceful society which pursues justice and reconciliation through the patient dialogue of the political process”. No going back. “People don’t want to return to the past, they don’t want to be overwhelmed by violence again, this is why they condemn these attacks and their perpetrators. Citizens believe that the political process is the object of the attack, which despite its fragility, is continuing to develop”, Msgr. Treanor told Sir. “Over one thousand people who gathered in Antrim’s streets for an ecumenical encounter on March 8, following the appeal of religious leaders, gave a clear testimony. Their joint prayers showed those few who believe in armed struggle that society rejects and does not tolerate these acts of violence”. But this is nothing new. “In Northern Ireland – said the bishop of Down and Connor – “violence never had a religious connotation. Christians of all confessions never endorsed violent struggle. IRA dissidents have claimed responsibility for the attack. As Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams declared, this gesture has no political strategy to it. I express my firm condemnation”. EU: ongoing commitment. Msgr. Treanor, who has occupied the post of COMECE Secretary General for 15 years in Brussels, expressed his conviction that the Massereene attack won’t detriment the political dialogue nor will it affect Europe’s commitment for the resolution of the issue of Northern Ireland. “I am aware of everything that Europe has done to resolve the situation in Northern Ireland, promoting the dialogue between the opposing parties. The European arena has transformed relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to the point that today these two Countries view one another as partners. Europe made a conspicuous investment in terms of lot political vision and under the economic and financial profile. I don’t think that this attack will lead to the halt of the political process, nor will it undermine the Institutions’ stability. However, this sad moment requires a greater effort on the part of everyone in order to educate and bring citizens on the path of peace, reconciliation and the respect of rights”.