NI watchers: when is sectarianism not sectarianism

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

Example one (from BBC NI Online 12th May), 15yo Catholic lad murdered by sectarian gang:




"CCTV link in teenage murder probe


CCTV footage could provide vital clues for detectives investigating the murder of a 15-year-old boy in County Antrim, a court has heard.

Michael McIlveen died in hospital on Monday after being attacked by a gang at Garfield Place, Ballymena on Sunday.

Five Ballymena teenagers, including a 15-year-old, have already been remanded in custody charged with his murder.

On Friday, at Larne Magistrates Court, police said they were examining CCTV footage as part of the investigation.

The comments were made as police were granted an extra 36 hours in which to question two other teenagers. They were arrested on Wednesday evening.

The court was also told that police have seized items of clothing, footwear and a baseball bat during planned searches in the Ballymena area.

The five who have already been charged in connection with the killing are due to appear in court again next month.

Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Uprichard visited the McIlveen family on Friday.

Dr Uprichard urged young people caught up in tensions in the town not to "allow yourself to be influenced by those who would persuade you that you are doing something macho".

"It doesn't have to be like this - there is something better for you. You live in a town which has so much to offer. You have a life which is full of so much potential," he said.

Vigils have been held at Michael McIlveen's family home

"Use that life wisely - don't waste it in a way that brings no benefit to yourself and may even bring harm to others."

He was accompanied on his visit by Catholic priest Fr Sean Connolly.

A book of condolence for the McIlveen family has been opened by Ballymena Council.

The town's DUP mayor, Tommy Nicholl, and a number of other councillors, have already signed the book.

Civic leaders, teachers, Sunday School teachers of all religions should tell young people very clearly and very carefully to stay out of gangs

The former Presbyterian moderator, Dr John Dunlop, said more should be done to tackle sectarianism.

"We haven't recognised how widespread this problem is," he said.

"Some people think sectarianism is an infection that afflicts some people here and there. What I am saying is that sectarianism is an endemic infection which affects all of us across the whole society, Catholics and Protestants, and people in different social classes."

A former Ulster Unionist mayor of Ballymena has urged young people in the town not to get involved in sectarian gangs.

James Currie said on Friday that parents and teachers must get the message across about the consequences of sectarian violence.

"Civic leaders, teachers, Sunday School teachers of all religions should tell young people very clearly and very carefully to stay out of gangs and not get involved because you're destroying your whole future at 14, 15 or up to 19 or whatever it is," he said.

Michael was a pupil at St Patrick's College in Ballymena.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein cancelled planned hunger strike commemorations in Portglenone on Friday as a mark of respect for the family of the murdered teenager."







Example two (from BBC NI Online 14th April), Presbyterian moderator in NI refuses to attend church service due to Catholic representative also attending:

Moderator turns down RUC invite



The Presbyterian Moderator Harry Uprichard has declined an invitation to attend an inter-denominational service.

The service, scheduled for the first Sunday in June, is held to mark the annual RUC George Cross Day.

Dr Uprichard said his decision was taken "simply and purely" on the grounds of personal conscience regarding joint worship.

"We are allowed that option as moderator and the church is being represented," he said.

"I am more than happy and more than encouraged to support the work of the RUC whatever the religious affiliations of those connected with it are."

The Moderator said he appreciated "totally, completely and absolutely, the fine work that has been done and is being done in that particular aspect".

"My concern is that the involvement of inter-church worship to that degree publicly aligns those of the reformed faith with those not of the reformed faith," he said.

Dr Uprichard said there were "insuperable difficulties" connected to interfaith worship and he felt it was "incorrect to be so aligned under those circumstances".

"There are deep fundamental differences," he said.

"I respect those who disagree with me, I respect their opinion but I disagree with it, feel I must agree to disagree and that puts me in the position where I can't be party to involvement."

The church's press officer, Stephen Lynas, said that "from time to time" moderators would be prepared to involve themselves in inter-church services.

"Consequently, we then are represented by a former moderator who is prepared to represent our church in those circumstances," Mr Lynas said.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has about 300,000 members in over 560 congregations and is the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland.

Dr Uprichard ends his term as moderator in June. Reverend David Clarke of Terrace Row Church in Coleraine will take over.

--------------------

So when is sectarianism not sectarianism? And what effect does the second example have at street level?

In my view example two is a contributor to example one, and therefore both examples are simply sectarianism in different forms.

When will NI leaders learn that they must lead by example: careless words (and actions) cost lives.

Discuss!!