NORTHERN IRELAND: CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS PRAY FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Record ID: 350113

  • Title: NORTHERN IRELAND: CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS PRAY FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
  • Date: 17th August 1969
  • Summary: IAN PAISLEY ENTERS TEMPORARY CHURCH; TROOPS BY ARDOYNE CATHOLIC CHURCH; CONGREGATION ENTERS LONDONDERRY CATHEDRAL; ARMOURED CAR; SOLDIERS. Initials AH/V/PNG/OS Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 1st September 1969 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom Northern Ireland
  • Reuters ID: LVAD0QA9ZXNAYFL5LF7OHJSFU2K3
  • Story Text: UNDER THE GUNS OF BRITISH TROOPS GUARDING RIOT-TORN STREETS, THOUSANDS OF PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAYING FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE BRITISH FORCE HAD APPEALED TO ALL CLERGY TO ASK THEIR CONGREGATIONS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE ARMY IN EASING TENSIONS.

    WHILE MILITANT PROTESTANT LEADER, THE REV. IAN PAISLEY, CONDUCTED A SERVICE IN HIS TEMPORARY CHURCH AT ULSTER HALL, BELFAST, THERE WAS AN APPEAL FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND BY THE POPE -- MR. PAISLEY FLEW TO GENEVA IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROTEST AGAINST THE POPE'S VISIT TO SWITZERLAND IN JUNE THIS YEAR.

    POPE PAUL, COMMENTING FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE ULSTER SITUATION, EXPRESSED HIS SADNESS AT "THE BITTER RIOTS AND HARSH REPRESSION", AND CONDEMNED THE USE OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE.

    MEANWHILE, WORSHIPPERS MADE THE MOST OF ULSTER'S FIRST PERIOD OF RELATIVE CALM FOR FIVE DAYS. ONLY ISOLATED INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE WERE REPORTED DURING THE DAY. THE RIOT TOLL OF EIGHT DEAD AND MORE THAN 310 INJURED REMAINED UNCHANGED.

    MANY OF THE CLERGY AND THEIR CONGREGATIONS EXPRESSED THEIR GRATITUDE FOR THE PRESENCE OF BRITISH TROOPS.
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