CITY AT A STANDSTILL AS THOUSANDS FLOCK TO PRAYER VIGIL
City at a standstill as thousands flock to prayer vigil
By MARY O'CARROLL
AN EERIE silence descended on Belfast at lunchtime yesterday when thousands flocked to a vigil for the victims of the Omagh bombing at City Hall.
The normally bustling centre was shrouded in a dignified silence as men and women, young and old, Catholic and Protestant from all parts of the city thronged the junction at Donegall Square in response to Belfast City Council's call for a silent vigil.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor David Alderdice led the occasion with a brief speech. ``We are here to remember the dead, the bereaved and all those suffering as a result of the Omagh tragedy. This is a time to stand and reflect, a time for prayers not speeches, a time to be quiet and to listen to the still small voice.''
Office workers gathered by top floor windows looked down from the stately buildings that grace the square as the men and women assembled in prayer wept openly for the 28 who died. Cllr Alderdice read the litany of names and ages of the Omagh victims and prayers were recited by representatives of the main churches.
The half-hour long gathering took place under a sweltering sky though the heat did not deter the trailing queue of mourners waiting to sign the book of condolences which was opened inside the city chambers.
In response to calls for a national day of mourning, the leaders of the four main Churches yesterday issued an appeal for people throughout Ireland "to express their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Omagh next Saturday, August 22''.
The call requests that local clergy organise "an appropriate act of reflection involving all churches'' in their areas and it suggests a minute's silence be observed at 3.10pm - the time of last Saturday's fatal explosion.
The Catholic Archbishop Sean Brady, the Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Dr John Dixon and the President of the Methodist Church Rev David Kerr said they will be joining people in Omagh for "an act of prayerful relection organised by the local clergy at 2.45pm'' at a local venue.
Also among the estimated 7,000-strong crowd was local community worker Monica Coyle who said: "Everybody has been hurt by this bomb, it affects all of us, and this is one way of showing we want to do something about it.''
The hymns were led by Omagh-born entertainer Dominic Kirwan who said afterwards that the town was in a state of shock and the huge turn-out at short notice spoke volumes. Three buses are being laid on today from the town so that people can attend the funerals of the three Buncrana children as a gesture from one suffering community to another.
By MARY O'CARROLL
AN EERIE silence descended on Belfast at lunchtime yesterday when thousands flocked to a vigil for the victims of the Omagh bombing at City Hall.
The normally bustling centre was shrouded in a dignified silence as men and women, young and old, Catholic and Protestant from all parts of the city thronged the junction at Donegall Square in response to Belfast City Council's call for a silent vigil.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor David Alderdice led the occasion with a brief speech. ``We are here to remember the dead, the bereaved and all those suffering as a result of the Omagh tragedy. This is a time to stand and reflect, a time for prayers not speeches, a time to be quiet and to listen to the still small voice.''
Office workers gathered by top floor windows looked down from the stately buildings that grace the square as the men and women assembled in prayer wept openly for the 28 who died. Cllr Alderdice read the litany of names and ages of the Omagh victims and prayers were recited by representatives of the main churches.
The half-hour long gathering took place under a sweltering sky though the heat did not deter the trailing queue of mourners waiting to sign the book of condolences which was opened inside the city chambers.
In response to calls for a national day of mourning, the leaders of the four main Churches yesterday issued an appeal for people throughout Ireland "to express their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Omagh next Saturday, August 22''.
The call requests that local clergy organise "an appropriate act of reflection involving all churches'' in their areas and it suggests a minute's silence be observed at 3.10pm - the time of last Saturday's fatal explosion.
The Catholic Archbishop Sean Brady, the Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Dr John Dixon and the President of the Methodist Church Rev David Kerr said they will be joining people in Omagh for "an act of prayerful relection organised by the local clergy at 2.45pm'' at a local venue.
Also among the estimated 7,000-strong crowd was local community worker Monica Coyle who said: "Everybody has been hurt by this bomb, it affects all of us, and this is one way of showing we want to do something about it.''
The hymns were led by Omagh-born entertainer Dominic Kirwan who said afterwards that the town was in a state of shock and the huge turn-out at short notice spoke volumes. Three buses are being laid on today from the town so that people can attend the funerals of the three Buncrana children as a gesture from one suffering community to another.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/197
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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