Unionism has no long-term future
May I venture to comment on two different letters in The Irish News of Thursday June 6.
First, Brian Wilson of Craigavon, Co Armagh, laments the dwindling vocations to the priesthood but does not give us his solution; he merely refers readers to a book that I have not yet seen. My own solution, for what it is worth, is that we must recognise that all the main Churches on this island – not just the Catholic Church – seem to have one problem in common which is seldom, if ever, acknowledged: they tell their young people what to believe but rarely tell them why they should believe it.
There is abundant evidence for the truth of the Christian faith, especially for those teachings that most Churches accept – such as those of the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed and for the truth of the Bible as the words of God Himself. Why have clergy not taught young people this?
Next, Seán Ó Fiach – ‘Holding back the years’ – says: “Secondly, Protestantism and unionism are inextricably linked.” South of the border, this has not been so for a long time; nearly all the southern unionists I have known – and I have known quite a few – were born before 1916. One reason for this is that, until most of Ireland became independent, unionism for them meant keeping the whole island within the United Kingdom.
When this was no longer possible, they saw unionism as a lost cause and their children and grandchildren saw even less point in it. Yet Protestantism has survived in the Republic and some Protestant churches are actually growing. Perhaps northern Protestants also may recognise that unionism has no long-term future.
R SEATHRÚN MAC ÉIN
Baile Átha Cliath 4
Time for republicans to assert their cultural identity
It must be becoming increasingly clear to his friends that Micheál Martin is losing touch with reality. The first warning sign was when he offered 30 Free State troops to help train Ukrainians. The next sign was when he arrived north to castigate John Finucane over his intention to attend a republican commemoration and at the same time had a warm visit to the Orange Order, when a man had just lost an industrial tribunal hearing over live-streaming a song glorifying the murder of Michaela McAreavey from an Orange Hall. It appears that it is quite normal now for Free State establishment parties to glorify and commemorate fallen British soldiers who represented probably the most colonial and imperialist power ever while at the same time vilifying Irish republicans who had died trying to free their country from that same colonial power. Indeed Micheál has followed in the footsteps of his predecessors who, while claiming sovereignty over the six counties in their constitution, used all the means at their disposal to aid Britain in opposing those who tried to bring Irish unification about.
This mainstream narrative being parroted by others was helped to become normalised by Sinn Féin’s acceptance of the policing and justice structures in the six counties in 2007. In one fell swoop that decision heralded the acceptance of all elements of British forces, military and police, as legitimate and militant republicanism as illegitimate and criminal. Unionists have to be sniggering up their sleeves every time they see a Sinn Féin member lay a poppy wreath, or meet with members of the British monarchy.
It is time for republicans to get a grip. Unionism is in a minority now and in decline. It’s time for republicans to assert their cultural identity and nationality. The days of playing second fiddle need to be gone.
SEAN O’FIACH
Belfast BT11
Teenage petulance
What a witty, clever and insightful piece by Leona O’Neill (June 6) on teenagers’ tactics of flagging up so-called “other people’s parents” when their demands and wishes are not facilitated without question.
But while this is a humorous take on teenage petulance and self-obsession, might it also raise more serious issues and problems – namely that of young people, mostly from socially deprived areas, who find themselves drawn down a rabbit hole into habitual criminality – gangs, joyriding, thieving, anti-social behaviour and so on.
Some years ago a student of mine from Derry told me of a teenager from his street who was caught in such a situation, despite various efforts by his exasperated family and relatives to extricate him from this downward spiral. After yet another criminal conviction they managed to persuade him to agree to go on a VSO-type work programme helping with community projects in an African village.
When he returned he was a completely changed person – mature, thoughtful, and well adjusted – who turned his back on anti-social behaviour and enrolled in an FE college.
Might it be considered that providing an opportunity which may well reveal there is life and meaning outside of the limited insular confines of a young person’s beleaguered environment could arguably serve to be a positive and valuable learning curve?
A famous comment by Mark Twain comes to mind regarding young people’s maturity (or lack of it). Twain stated that when he was 16 he thought his father was a fool – but five years later he was amazed at how much the old man had come on during that time.
GERRY DEVLIN
Belfast BT7
Need for inclusive memorial
In 1972, in the wake of Bloody Friday, I recall my lovely mum bringing me to the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Rev Joe Parker, whose son Stephen (14) was murdered in Bloody Friday, along with the organisation Witness for Peace, planted 436 crosses on the grounds of Belfast City Hall to represent all the lives that had been lost up until that point in the Troubles. The crosses represented all loss of life, including civilians, combatants and soldiers up to that point. To this day, this event stands out for me as one of the few inclusive commemorations of the history of the Troubles.
Over 50 years later, we regularly witness tensions over the latest memorial, commemoration or erection of flags. The organisers say they have the right to remember their dead in a dignified and respectful way. Too often their events glorify the actions of their combatants and rarely if ever are respectful to victims and survivors.
Surely there are lessons to be learnt from the decades of centenaries. By adopting the principles of inclusive ethical remembering, most of the centenary events went off peacefully and without rancour. Is it not time that we showed the courage of Rev Joe Parker and collectively organised a graceful and inclusive memorial to everyone who died during the Troubles. No names, just simple crosses. Everyone can honour lost loved ones by remembering what happened in a way that builds a better future for us all.
TIM ATTWOOD
Belfast BT11
