NORTHERN IRELAND: BALLYMENA: LOYALISTS PICKET CATHOLIC CHURCH
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- Опубликовано: 29 окт 2024
- (7 Dec 1996) English/Nat
A loyalist picket of a Catholic church in Ballymena, County Antrim passed off largely peacefully Saturday
Protestant clergy congregated outside the church, recently subjected to terrorist attacks and ensured the Catholic congregation could worship in peace.
It's a remarkable show of solidarity between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.
The scene was set for a showdown but on this occasion the spirit of tolerance prevailed.
This is Our Lady's Catholic church at Harryville, a predominantly pro-British Protestant neighborhood in south Ballymena.
It has been a centre of tensions in Northern Ireland since Protestants began picketing Saturday night services.
Protesters have been menacing Catholic worshippers for three months and trying to stop them going to church.
Now Protestants are helping them and ensuring they can worship safely.
This Saturday, churchmen from Protestant churches throughout the town gathered at the church to show their solidarity with the Catholic worshippers.
Riot police were on the scene to ensure there was no trouble.
There was mild pushing and shoving but riot police managed to keep it in check and there were only two arrests.
Only two people were arrested during minor stone-throwing incidents.
The minister at Ballymena Presbyterian Church spoke on behalf of all of those who gathered in solidarity with the worshippers.
He said that it was to make them see they are not alone.
SOUNDBITE:
'This is may I say spontaneous, word of mouth since about Thursday. There was no attempt to gather the troops and to bring then to this place at all, that's not our purpose, it is simply to let these folk in here know they are not alone.'
SUPER CAPTION: Reverend Russel Birney
Protestants from throughout the area came out in sympathy.
Ballymena's Protestant mayor, James Currie, also attended.
He was chatting with and greeting the congregants and showing his support.
SOUNDBITE:
The people of Ballymena want their Roman Catholic neighbours to have civil and religious liberty and I would say to the people of Harryville here, I apologise for the inconvenience, I am very sorry for you. I know that the vast majority of Harryville people are decent, hardworking , honest people and want nothing to do with this protest and to the members of the RUC, you still have all my confidence and respect and you did a great job here tonight."
SUPER CAPTION: James Currie - Ballymena's Protestant mayor
Mobs have thrown gasoline bombs, firecrackers, eggs and bottles at lines of riot police protecting this church.
And this week tension has increased with arsonists damaging three local Catholic schools and attacking three homes occupied by Catholics.
As the congregants filed out after their service, Protestants were singing hymns.
This event marks the first time that Protestant leaders openly challenged the militants.
This Catholic lady has been joined by a Protestant friend.
She was clearly overwhelmed by the whole thing.
SOUNDBITE:
"Just so many faces here tonight. I just feel very emotional. But very nice."
SUPER CAPTION: Catholic Voxpop
They all agree Catholics should be able to worship as they please.
But the protesters insist they will continue until Catholic militants in nearby Dunloy allow members of the Orange Order, the province's main Protestant organisation, to march through that village.
Protesters led by members of the IRA-allied Sinn Fein party this summer blocked traditional Protestant marches that pass near Catholic turf, including several in Dunloy.
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Thank you to the DECENT folk of Ballymena who see sense. I know you exist. I've had a few pints in town in the past and have been treated great
They're few and far between. Ballymena hasn't got the reputation it has for no reason
@@TheBlaert It's a Presbyterian bigoted shithole.
Wow wot an impressive evaluation of ah community that hus terrorised and othered it’s own neighbours
Ah bloke hud ah couple ay pints wanst n nae cvnt bothered uhm , are u fckn serious
Even on the darkest nights, there is still light
Good God - unfathomable and incomprehensible to try to understand let alone unravel some of the fixed mindsets of the inhabitants of our beautiful country, in order that life in all its aspects and fullness be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone who may care to do so along with their fellow man and woman.
Northern Ireland is a failed state this is jist one tiny example of 100 odd years of abject failure
This really showing Ulster Protestants as being very very sectarian 🇮🇪
Are they :: "Church of Ireland" Protestants and "Church of England" Protestants" are closer to Catholic Theology and gave up sectarian rule philosophy over 100 years ago. The "Planter-Presbyterians" are still living 300-years in the past. If they are unable to assimilate like the English Plantation of Munster did, they should return to Scotland.
@@johndoe-ss9bz True Robert Emmet stood up against the sectarainism.
They are
@@johndoe-ss9bz Presbyterians are majority of the Protestant protestors I guarantee you Ulster Scots are very noticeable from a video.
I find sectarianism to be fun! Greatings from Northern America.
I don't believe anyone wants to go back to those horrible days of war again......
As an American I kind of want Northern Ireland to go back. And I want to be a part of it too. With the troubles revived America can sneak in and take over northern ireland thus rendering all northern ireland people into American citizens. That way both the uk and Republic of Ireland get screwed over.
@@Mr-pn2eh What?
The TUV and the likes of Brsyon and his loyalist pals want to go back to those days
Have to not let the bitter loyalists taint the normal protestant man and woman
When the unionist leader and nationalist leader shakes hands and works together this place changes!
How about Northern Ireland becomes independent. Neither Ireland nor the UK has any right to be involved in Northern Ireland.
Such hatred .Back on the boat to Scotland with ye
You've just displayed hatred with your comment, hypocrite ! You're an ignorant southerner and outsider and had the luxury of growing up in the peaceful Republic of Ireland and have not suffered anything you don't understand the first thing about Northern Ireland or what it's like to grow up in conflict.
They are not Christian,religious in any shape or form, Scottish? Dinnae blame my country, Erin agus Alba gu brath.
@@spareemail8711 There are lots of Catholics in Scotland and Scotland too suffers from sectarian strife!
Back to the republic of Ireland with ye catholic fools.
@@angusmeigh5141 I want to be part of sectarian strife (I'm. American). Only verbal strife though not physical strife. Team protestant all the way.
Rip Ian Paisley.
Sectarianism as witnessed here is a British strategy rather than an Irish malady.
My dad is from Northern Ireland, Ballymena.
As an American I want to visit Ballymena one day so I can see where Ian Paisley grew up.
@@Mr-pn2eh Ian Paisley never grew up , he bought ah doctorate, he bought guns , he perpetuated the subjugation and oppression of people that did not share his “culture”
@@Mr-pn2eh Better keep some tissues ready for that bloody nose you´ll be getting.
@@Mr-pn2eh Can you imagine a fat American with a fat American accent asking people where Paisley was born. You´ll only be seeing the local hospital.
tall ship hangers
Look at the police now fighting with the prod side now what gos round comes round 😂
Chapel is now gone , well flattened ,
No thanks to scumbags like you
But the people are still there,😉
It was a church not a "chapel" you bitter and ignorant moron.