Peace-building event at First Derry Presbyterian Church

This imaginative Initiative is deliberately designed to promote better community relations and build a brighter shared future, and Fr Michael Canny joined Dr David Latimer in welcoming the students from both the Controlled and Maintained sectors and also from Raphoe in County Donegal. The colourful range of uniforms occupying the pews of the recently restored church, located on the city’s historic walls, was tantamount to a rainbow of hope.

Taking part were St Mary’s, St Cecilia’s, St Joseph’s, St Peter’s, St Brigid’s, Immaculate Conception, Lisneal, Thornhill, St Columb’s, Foyle and Londonderry, Lumen Christi, Oakgrove, North West Regional, St Patrick’s and StBrigid’s (Claudy) and Royal & Prior, Raphoe.

“Clearly the time is right for conversations that bring people from the two traditions into contact with each other. For too long both communities have stayed apart, with the result they live alongside each other as virtual strangers,” said Rev Dr David Latimer, adding: “Physical features that define the local landscape, such as a Wall, a River and a Border make it easy for people who are different to keep their distance from each other.”

Dr Latimer described these features as ‘boundaries’ which people “invariably use to mark out territory so as to preserve their identity and remain safe”

He continued: “Boundaries however can be broken down, without the need for force and without anger. Whenever people move towards each other and choose to share space and make time for each other, they can begin to grow in respect and understanding for one another”.

“Charles Innliss, a former British Army officer who released the plastic baton round, which connected with a young 10-year-old boy called Richard Moore and left him blinded for life have, since 2006, made time for each other and have got to know one another.

“A pin could have been heard dropping onto the floor of First Derry as Charles and Richard shared their personal, painful stories. How could a person blinded by the actions of another person not hate that person?” Dr Latimer asked.

“Amazingly, Richard is not angry with Charles nor does he hate him for what he did, because Richard Moore quickly realised that if he chose to be angry and hate Charles, that would have had no effect whatsoever on Charles who was busy getting on with his life elsewhere in the world. The only person to be damaged through anger and hatred would have been Richard Moore himself and he did not wish to inflict any further pain upon himself or his family. Thus he chose to forgive Charles,” said Dr Latimer.

Prior to everyone leaving the church, Fr Canny and Dr Latimer conducted a brief Act of Remembrance that embraced all hurting people and provided the Year 12 students with an opportunity to quietly reflect on people from both communities who have died.

“This was a uniquely inspirational event involving a great cross section of youth living on either side of the Border, the River and the Walls! The evil weeds of sectarianism are slowly being uprooted and in their place seeds of reconciliation are being sown,” he said.

Following the formal event, which was chaired by Paul McFadden and included the music of singer/songwriter Paul Casey, hospitality was provided for everyone in the Tower Hotel.