OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFLECTION
Opportunities for reflection on the horror of last weekend
HUNDREDS of churches of all denominations were open across Northern Ireland today to show sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the Omagh bomb horror.
Apart from services organised to coincide with the time of the explosion - 3.10pm - many churches are also open at other times for individual reflection.
The four main Church leaders will be attending the service in Omagh.
They decided on the term 'acts of reflection' to describe the �ceremonies aimed at allowing people to focus on the grief of the community, the bereaved and injured of Omagh, and their friends and family circles.
The leaders - Presbyterian Moderator Rev John Dixon; Catholic Primate Dr Sean Brady; Church of Ireland Primate Dr Robin Eames and Methodist President the Rev David Kerr - met in Armagh on Monday to discuss a response to the outrage.
They had already been urged by First Minister designate David Trimble to consider some form of national day of mourning. Details for such an event are still being considered.
Instead the term 'acts of reflection ' was deliberately chosen to avoid any controversy. Use of the word 'services', for example, could have caused problems for Presbyterians opposed to any form of joint worship.
Church leaders across the divide have been to the fore in organising local responses to the outrage.
Although they already have good links in many areas of the province, there were reports this week that the bombing has increased contacts between Protestant and Catholic clergy in some other parts.
HUNDREDS of churches of all denominations were open across Northern Ireland today to show sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the Omagh bomb horror.
Apart from services organised to coincide with the time of the explosion - 3.10pm - many churches are also open at other times for individual reflection.
The four main Church leaders will be attending the service in Omagh.
They decided on the term 'acts of reflection' to describe the �ceremonies aimed at allowing people to focus on the grief of the community, the bereaved and injured of Omagh, and their friends and family circles.
The leaders - Presbyterian Moderator Rev John Dixon; Catholic Primate Dr Sean Brady; Church of Ireland Primate Dr Robin Eames and Methodist President the Rev David Kerr - met in Armagh on Monday to discuss a response to the outrage.
They had already been urged by First Minister designate David Trimble to consider some form of national day of mourning. Details for such an event are still being considered.
Instead the term 'acts of reflection ' was deliberately chosen to avoid any controversy. Use of the word 'services', for example, could have caused problems for Presbyterians opposed to any form of joint worship.
Church leaders across the divide have been to the fore in organising local responses to the outrage.
Although they already have good links in many areas of the province, there were reports this week that the bombing has increased contacts between Protestant and Catholic clergy in some other parts.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0206
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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