Archbishop: Nationalist chiefs must engage over centenary
THE head of the Irish Catholic Church has expressed disappointment over nationalists’ refusal to engage with those celebrating the centenary of Northern Ireland.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said 2021 is “an opportunity for greater mutual understanding, for opportunities to build further reconciliation and peace”.
“I am somewhat disappointed that many of our nationalist and republican political leaders have dismissed the centenary of 2021 altogether because for me I think it’s really important to seize it as a moment to reflect on where we’ve come from,” he stated.
ULSTER Unionist leader Steve Aiken has welcomed comments by the head of the Catholic Church that a united Ireland will never be achieved unless nationalists are willing to listen to those who are fearful of the prospect of reunification.
Archbishop Eamon Martin made his comments to The Irish Catholic newspaper ahead of the 2021 anniversary of the partition of the island of Ireland.
He said: “Clearly as a nationalist myself, as growing up in a nationalist community, I would have a yearning that that sense of belonging is something that could be shared by all of the people in the island of Ireland.”
However, Archbishop Martin warned that understanding where those fearful of a united Ireland are coming from is key.
“I think that we will never reach there unless we are open to understanding each other, and I think that 2021 provides an opportunity for greater understanding of where we’ve come from and indeed where we might go together into the future.”
The archbishop said that the division of the island 100 years ago had caused “a great amount of sadness: a sense of separation, a sense of loss with the partition of the island,” within the broader Catholic/nationalist community.
At the same time, he said that “for unionists and indeed loyalist communities in Northern Ireland, it represents for them a significant moment in the establishment of the Northern Ireland state”.
Archbishop Martin also criticised nationalist politicians for refusing to engage with the commemoration of the creation of Northern Ireland.
“I would like to see the 2021 centenary as an opportunity for greater mutual understanding, for opportunities to build further reconciliation and peace…i am somewhat disappointed that many of our nationalist and republican political leaders have dismissed the centenary of 2021 altogether because for me I think it’s really important to seize it as a moment to reflect on where we’ve come from.
“If we could accept that people on this island approach their belonging from very different perspectives — that was key to the Good Friday Agreement: that we would recognise legitimate aspirations on the island and that to me is something that we’re better not to run away from, but to face,” the archbishop said.
“And if there is ever to be greater mutual understanding and living together on the island of Ireland, then we need to be able to face difficult moments and difficult episodes from our history we need to be able to face it openly,” he insisted.
Mr Aiken said Archbishop Martin should be commended for many of his remarks.
“The lack of engagement and indeed respect shown by some nationalist politicians and commentators brings into real question whether they are truly committed to parity of esteem and mutual respect,” the Ulster Unionist Party leader added.
“It seems that to some, the only shared space than can be contemplated is an island dominated by a singular narrative.
“The commemoration and indeed celebration of Northern Ireland’s centenary should also be about reflection and a determination for us all to what is best for all of our people, now and well into the future,” he said.
In response, a Sinn Fein spokesperson added: “The centenary of partition is nothing to celebrate for Irish republicans, nationalists and democrats.
“Partition has been to the detriment of citizens across this island and continues to restrict our social and economic potential.”