Church: don’t rewrite history to legitimise ‘morally wrong’

THE Presbyterian Church has called for a fresh rethink on the legacy proposals.

The Church said the history of the Troubles should not be “rewritten” to legitimatise “what was morally wrong and totally unjustified”.

Its position was outlined in its submission to the legacy consultation, released yesterday.

The Rev Tony Davidson (right), minister of First Armagh Presbyterian Church, said the current approach to the legacy issue is “deficient”.

“We have already said publicly that the status quo in relation to dealing with the legacy of North- ern Ireland’s past is deficient, and that the Secretary of State’s proposals are not currently acceptable and need considerable change,” Rev Davidson said.

“Given that, we believe that the proposed broad framework does represent an opportunity to find an agreed and acceptable process which could command cross-community support.”

Outlining its proposed revisions in the detailed submission, in which the Church insists that the history of the Troubles should not be distorted, it warned that not to implement changes would “likely set the issue back for many years — if not for ever”.

“There is broad agreement that current arrangements are not delivering enough for victims, survivors and wider society,” it added.

“There are undoubtedly significant shortcomings in terms of truth, justice and care for people who have been physically and mentally injured during the Troubles.”

Meaningful discussion about reconciliation is also worryingly absent, the submission further asserts.

“We therefore agree that a new approach is required... The choice we face as a society is between shaping a new approach and retaining the status quo.”