ARCHBISHOPS EXPRESS THEIR ADMIRATION FOR PEOPLE OF OMAGH
Archbishops express their admiration for people of Omagh
THE CHURCH of Ireland and Catholic Primates of Ireland came to Omagh to deliver their Christmas message on Thursday last.
Archbishops Robin Eames and Sean Brady walked through the town, and exchanged Christmas greetings with the people they met on the streets.
They paused to examine the growing number of bouquets and Christmas wreaths which visitors and locals continue to lay at the scene of the bomb, and they shook hands with the workmen on the site.
The Archbishops were in town to record 'A Christmas Message', which will be broadcast on RTE-1 at 2.45 on Christmas afternoon.
Before the recording session, Archbishop Eames said, although he had drawn inspiration from the people he met on the streets, he felt great sympathy for the families who will have a very sad Christmas.
"Today I have spoken to people I met the day after the bomb, and although their scars are healed physically, they are not yet able to forget the scars in their hearts and minds."
Archbishop Eames said he felt privileged to be back in Omagh, where he noticed a tangible change of mood.
"I spent a couple of days here after the bomb and saw it at its lowest ebb, and today to see such heart and spirit is wonderful. I believe what happened here was a turning point for the whole of Northern Ireland - at such a cost - but there is a new hope as we move into 1999," he said.
Echoing Archbishop Eames' sentiments, Archbishop Brady also expressed his admiration for the people of Omagh.
"We came here in August to bring sympathy and support, and my abiding memory of that time is the way that people rallied round with such dignity," he said.
Archbishop Brady said the purpose of their visit to Omagh on Thursday, last was to bring messages of support from people all over the country.
"Our prayer is that they will heal from this terrible experience, and that the coming of Christ will help this healing-process to take place," he said.
Archbishop Brady said he was delighted with the strength and goodness of the people he met, and was glad to be able to offer words of encouragement to them as they went about their daily business.
"The last time I was here the people were numbed into silence, but today they are progressing on the road to healing, and in the new year this progress will continue," he said.
THE CHURCH of Ireland and Catholic Primates of Ireland came to Omagh to deliver their Christmas message on Thursday last.
Archbishops Robin Eames and Sean Brady walked through the town, and exchanged Christmas greetings with the people they met on the streets.
They paused to examine the growing number of bouquets and Christmas wreaths which visitors and locals continue to lay at the scene of the bomb, and they shook hands with the workmen on the site.
The Archbishops were in town to record 'A Christmas Message', which will be broadcast on RTE-1 at 2.45 on Christmas afternoon.
Before the recording session, Archbishop Eames said, although he had drawn inspiration from the people he met on the streets, he felt great sympathy for the families who will have a very sad Christmas.
"Today I have spoken to people I met the day after the bomb, and although their scars are healed physically, they are not yet able to forget the scars in their hearts and minds."
Archbishop Eames said he felt privileged to be back in Omagh, where he noticed a tangible change of mood.
"I spent a couple of days here after the bomb and saw it at its lowest ebb, and today to see such heart and spirit is wonderful. I believe what happened here was a turning point for the whole of Northern Ireland - at such a cost - but there is a new hope as we move into 1999," he said.
Echoing Archbishop Eames' sentiments, Archbishop Brady also expressed his admiration for the people of Omagh.
"We came here in August to bring sympathy and support, and my abiding memory of that time is the way that people rallied round with such dignity," he said.
Archbishop Brady said the purpose of their visit to Omagh on Thursday, last was to bring messages of support from people all over the country.
"Our prayer is that they will heal from this terrible experience, and that the coming of Christ will help this healing-process to take place," he said.
Archbishop Brady said he was delighted with the strength and goodness of the people he met, and was glad to be able to offer words of encouragement to them as they went about their daily business.
"The last time I was here the people were numbed into silence, but today they are progressing on the road to healing, and in the new year this progress will continue," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1301
Published Date: 23-Dec-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.