PEACE PLEA AT TRIPLE FUNERAL
Peace plea at triple funeral
By Seamus McKinney
Bishop's appeal as boys buried
CATHOLIC Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty made a personal appeal to First Minister David Trimble and the new Northern Ireland Assembly to work for peace.
Dr Hegarty was speaking at the funeral of 12-year-old James Baker, Oran Doherty (8) and Sean McLaughlin (11) in Buncrana.
In a dramatic gesture, Ulster Unionist leader, Mr Trimble attended the Co Donegal funeral along with his deputy, Seamus Mallon of the SDLP.
They were joined at St Mary's church, Cockhill by President Mary McAleese as well as Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams and Mid Ulster MP, Martin McGuinness.
Speaking at the end of Mass, Dr Hegarty prayed for the repentance of all those involved in planting the Omagh bomb.
"Pray for those who ordered the making of the bomb, for those who constructed it, for those who transported it and for all who were in any way participants in preparing this infamous instrument of death and destruction," the Derry bishop said.
Calling on those responsible to hear his words, Dr Hegarty said they were all responsible for the deaths before God.
He asked them to repent and to give up their "immoral trade in destruction and death" permanently.
"It is necessary that they do so otherwise their eventual destination for eternity will not be where James, Oran, Sean, Fernando and Rocio are today.
"To all who engage in acts of violence which have the capacity to cause serious injury or death, I say to you, as bishop of the diocese on this important occasion, your intentions are wrong; your deeds are wrong; your deeds are sinful," he said.
To a round of applause, Dr Hegarty had a special message for Northern Ireland First Minister, David Trimble and his deputy Seamus Mallon.
"The people must not just be heard but listened to. The new Northern Ireland Assembly presents the best and only way forward.
"May it prosper. May you, Mr Trimble, and your colleagues in the assembly have the wisdom and the courage you need to serve the interests of peace for all our people.
"The young people whose funeral we celebrate today and their deceased and injured colleagues may well in time be recognised as our newest and most effective victims for peace," he said.
Earlier in the Requiem Mass, Buncrana priest, Fr Shane Bradley told the thousands of mourners that Ireland had become a "land of dark shadow and of appalling pain."
Fr Bradley said there was despair in the families of the three dead Co Donegal children.
"But for us all - there is uncertainty about where to go - how to pick up the pieces with all our hearts blown out by the Omagh bomb, happening at a time when the so-called troubles were supposed to be at and end," Fr Bradley said.
The three young boys were buried side by side in the cemetery adjoining St Mary's church Cockhill.
By Seamus McKinney
Bishop's appeal as boys buried
CATHOLIC Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty made a personal appeal to First Minister David Trimble and the new Northern Ireland Assembly to work for peace.
Dr Hegarty was speaking at the funeral of 12-year-old James Baker, Oran Doherty (8) and Sean McLaughlin (11) in Buncrana.
In a dramatic gesture, Ulster Unionist leader, Mr Trimble attended the Co Donegal funeral along with his deputy, Seamus Mallon of the SDLP.
They were joined at St Mary's church, Cockhill by President Mary McAleese as well as Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams and Mid Ulster MP, Martin McGuinness.
Speaking at the end of Mass, Dr Hegarty prayed for the repentance of all those involved in planting the Omagh bomb.
"Pray for those who ordered the making of the bomb, for those who constructed it, for those who transported it and for all who were in any way participants in preparing this infamous instrument of death and destruction," the Derry bishop said.
Calling on those responsible to hear his words, Dr Hegarty said they were all responsible for the deaths before God.
He asked them to repent and to give up their "immoral trade in destruction and death" permanently.
"It is necessary that they do so otherwise their eventual destination for eternity will not be where James, Oran, Sean, Fernando and Rocio are today.
"To all who engage in acts of violence which have the capacity to cause serious injury or death, I say to you, as bishop of the diocese on this important occasion, your intentions are wrong; your deeds are wrong; your deeds are sinful," he said.
To a round of applause, Dr Hegarty had a special message for Northern Ireland First Minister, David Trimble and his deputy Seamus Mallon.
"The people must not just be heard but listened to. The new Northern Ireland Assembly presents the best and only way forward.
"May it prosper. May you, Mr Trimble, and your colleagues in the assembly have the wisdom and the courage you need to serve the interests of peace for all our people.
"The young people whose funeral we celebrate today and their deceased and injured colleagues may well in time be recognised as our newest and most effective victims for peace," he said.
Earlier in the Requiem Mass, Buncrana priest, Fr Shane Bradley told the thousands of mourners that Ireland had become a "land of dark shadow and of appalling pain."
Fr Bradley said there was despair in the families of the three dead Co Donegal children.
"But for us all - there is uncertainty about where to go - how to pick up the pieces with all our hearts blown out by the Omagh bomb, happening at a time when the so-called troubles were supposed to be at and end," Fr Bradley said.
The three young boys were buried side by side in the cemetery adjoining St Mary's church Cockhill.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0104
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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