Hope springs from Remembrance row
Thursday, 20 November 2008
PIctured prior to the this year’s Remembrance Service at All Saints’ are (from left) Father Tony Devlin, Archdeacon Stephen McBride and Rev Jack Moore.
A CONTROVERSIAL protest by a hardline unionist councillor may have stolen the headlines last week, but the local clergymen carrying out this month's trailblazing Act of Remembrance at All Saints' Church believe they have presided over a quiet revolution.
Traditional Unionist Mel Lucas boycotted the service because of the presence of a Catholic priest in the Protestant Church - sparking a war of words which is still rumbling on across the pages of the province's papers.
But while his protest has sparked intense debate, the men conducting the ecumenical salute to the Borough's Glorious Dead remain equally confident that their decision to reflect the cross-community nature of the sacrifice was broadly in line with the growing public mood. On November 9 the Very Rev Anthony Devlin, Parish Priest of St Comgall's in Antrim was the preacher at Antrim's Royal British Legion Remembrance Service - becoming the first Catholic to lead the commemorations.
It was undoubtedly a momentous occasion, symbolising another step on the road away from the sectarian problems which have blighted Antrim's past.
Tellingly, the response following the service in All Saints was 'very favourable', with any criticism drowned out by a packed congregation overwhelmingly in support.
“Our only disappointment was that the young people of our youth organisations were unable to join with us in the service," commented Archdeacon McBride, vicar of All Saints' Parish and chaplain to the Antrim Branch of the Royal British Legion.
“Due to the unexpected extra number of people on parade, All Saints' church which can accommodate nearly 400 worshippers, was packed to the doors.
“Many people who had attended the service were delighted that at long last, Father Devlin had been able to take part."
But he added that the journey that had brought the two congregations together had been a long one.
