Daily
Dispatch Weekend 30th Sep - 1st Oct
SS:
PAISLEY NEEDS TO ENGAGE WITH PARTIES, NOT JUST CHURCHES
SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness welcomed the announcement
that Ian Paisley will meet Archbishop Sean Brady, which he hoped
would be a step on the road to broader engagement.
He said: “This is a welcome step which is not only useful
and important, but also has major symbolic importance. At last
the outer reaches of unionism are prepared to show an attitude
of decency and civility towards those with whom they have doctrinal
differences.
“I hope it represents a signal that the days of fiery anti-Roman
tub-thumping are over. I hope Dr Paisley is in fact prepared to
cleanse the DUP of the deeply rooted sectarianism which infects
that organisation at all levels.
“However, no one should overestimate the political importance
of this move. It is good that Dr Paisley engages in dialogue at
the inter-church level. But what we really need him to do is stop
preaching with the megaphone and engage in real dialogue with
the other political parties on the basis of democratic power-sharing.
He has it in his power to improve the lives and future of everyone
in the north, Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter. He is facing
a great test of leadership that goes far beyond his command of
the DUP or the church he heads.
