wfn.org | Irish Methodist president welcomes IRA apology

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

July 23, 2002 News media contact: Kathy Gilbert7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn.   10-71B{316}

By Kathleen LaCamera*

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (UMNS) - The president of the Irish Methodist
Church welcomed news of an apology from Irish Republican Army paramilitaries
for the suffering caused to civilians and their families in 30 years of
violence in the region.  

 "While it was not our intention to injure or kill non-combatants, the
reality is ... that was the consequence of our actions," the IRA statement
said. "We offer our sincere apologies and condolences to their families.
There have been fatalities amongst combatants on all sides. We also
acknowledge the grief and pain of their relatives."

In the July 16 statement, the IRA made no apologies for actions against
police or other security forces but did acknowledge the suffering of their
relatives. Critics of the statement point out that the apology prioritizes
civilian lives over those of the police and military. 

In an article for the Irish Times, Irish Methodist president, the Rev.
Winston Graham, joined with leaders of the two other main Protestant
churches in Ireland in welcoming the statement. 

"As others in the past have already shown, it is only when we acknowledge
pain and hurt caused to each other that we are enabled to find the freedom
needed to move forward," Graham said. In addition, he said that the taking
of any life by violent means was totally wrong at all times, and that every
person was of value and worth and had a right to live in peace and safety. 

The statement was issued before the 30th anniversary of an IRA bombing
campaign on July 21, 1972, when 21 IRA bombs exploded across Belfast. Dubbed
"Bloody Friday," nine people died and hundreds were injured. The apology
also stated that the IRA remains "totally committed to the peace process and
to dealing with the challenges and difficulties which this presents."

Graham said he was encouraged to hear of the IRA's commitment to the peace
process. He said that the Methodist Church continues its own commitment to
that process and to the way of conflict resolution.
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*LaCamera is a United Methodist News Service correspondent based in England.

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United Methodist News Service
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