TRAGEDY PROMPTS RENEWAL OF SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP
TRAGEDY PROMPTS RENEWAL OF SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP
BY: MICHELE CANNING
THE BOND of friendship forged by two clergymen across the religious divide seventeen years ago - and later forced apart by sectarianism- has been strengthened in the wake of the Omagh tragedy.
Catholic curate Fr Kevin Mullan, of Christ the King Church in Strathroy, and Church of England Minister, Reverend David Armstrong, renewed their friendship this week when they met again.
The two first met in 1981 in Limavady but the turbulent times forced them to flee the Co Derry Town four years later. However, the bond of friendship has remained with both men keeping in close contact over the years.
Rev Armstrong flew in from Cambridge in England on Tuesday after seeing Father Mullan in the midst of the carnage and destruction at Market Street, just minutes after the bomb exploded, three weeks ago.
"When I saw Kevin in the midst of the tragedy I felt I had to come and see him. I wanted to let him know that there are people who do care for him. Kevin has always been there for me," said the Minister.
In 1981 the two met when they ministered in their respective churches in Limavady but bigotry was to confront them and tear them apart in 1985.
In what at the time was an unprecedented action, Fr Mullan and Rev Armstrong visited each others churches and spoke to the congregations during services.
Fr Mullan was at that time curate at Christ the King Church in Limavady and Rev Armstrong was a Minister at First Limavady Presbyterian Church.
The opposition to their attempt to forge interdenominational links between the two communities was so adverse that a bomb was planted in Fr Mullan's church, blowing the roof off, and both men were forced to flee the town.
Rev Armstrong said "My family came under such pressure that we had to leave. So I fled to England without a job.
"When I arrived in England Dr Donal Coggan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, told me that the work that Kevin and I had done in Limavady was good work, and he said he felt that anyone who disagreed was bigoted.
He initially became curate of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge town centre and was then appointed Vicar in Charge of the Church of England's St Martin's parish in Cambridge where he still ministers.
"I was so grateful to the Church of England for allowing me to continue in my vocation as a minister.
"In England there is such room to breath, there are no strait jackets and I can speak to my neighbouring priests at any time. There is no opposition to me speaking in another church, or a priest speaking in mine."
Rev Armstrong arrived in Omagh on Tuesday to visit Fr Mullan and returned to England late yesterday evening.
It is only the second time in thirteen years that he has come back to the North. He returned two years ago to participate in a BBC documentary.
"I was so glad to be able to come here this week. I just concentrated on getting here to see Kevin. At least I know that Kevin is coping well in the terrible straits of this tragedy, and that is of great comfort and strength to me."
Reverend Armstrong is optimistic for the future of Northern Ireland.
"When I walked down Omagh street, I found that the people of this town are graciously kind. The whole situation is a little different from what it was fourteen years ago. Maybe this country is changing for the better.
"Omagh always had the reputation of being a quiet settled town and a savage deed has been done here.
"But I definitely feel that these terrible deaths are the last. That is my strong belief. It can only be hoped that some good will come out of the sheer desperation that this town feels."
Rev Armstrong has had links with Omagh in the past, not alone because of Father Mullan.
The best man at his wedding was local man Jack Richardson, formerly from Old Mountfield Road, who is now a Minister in Lisburn.
When asked if he would ever consider returning to Northern Ireland the Minister said:
"If I was 100% sure that I could conduct worship then I would be willing to return. I would like to be able to conduct my services without getting heckled or booed.
"It is not because of the troubles in this country that I have not returned. I would like to be able to conduct my services as they should be".
Fr Mullan told the "Herald" that it was comforting to see his friend again.
"We have been through so much together. It is good to have his support at this time."
BY: MICHELE CANNING
THE BOND of friendship forged by two clergymen across the religious divide seventeen years ago - and later forced apart by sectarianism- has been strengthened in the wake of the Omagh tragedy.
Catholic curate Fr Kevin Mullan, of Christ the King Church in Strathroy, and Church of England Minister, Reverend David Armstrong, renewed their friendship this week when they met again.
The two first met in 1981 in Limavady but the turbulent times forced them to flee the Co Derry Town four years later. However, the bond of friendship has remained with both men keeping in close contact over the years.
Rev Armstrong flew in from Cambridge in England on Tuesday after seeing Father Mullan in the midst of the carnage and destruction at Market Street, just minutes after the bomb exploded, three weeks ago.
"When I saw Kevin in the midst of the tragedy I felt I had to come and see him. I wanted to let him know that there are people who do care for him. Kevin has always been there for me," said the Minister.
In 1981 the two met when they ministered in their respective churches in Limavady but bigotry was to confront them and tear them apart in 1985.
In what at the time was an unprecedented action, Fr Mullan and Rev Armstrong visited each others churches and spoke to the congregations during services.
Fr Mullan was at that time curate at Christ the King Church in Limavady and Rev Armstrong was a Minister at First Limavady Presbyterian Church.
The opposition to their attempt to forge interdenominational links between the two communities was so adverse that a bomb was planted in Fr Mullan's church, blowing the roof off, and both men were forced to flee the town.
Rev Armstrong said "My family came under such pressure that we had to leave. So I fled to England without a job.
"When I arrived in England Dr Donal Coggan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, told me that the work that Kevin and I had done in Limavady was good work, and he said he felt that anyone who disagreed was bigoted.
He initially became curate of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge town centre and was then appointed Vicar in Charge of the Church of England's St Martin's parish in Cambridge where he still ministers.
"I was so grateful to the Church of England for allowing me to continue in my vocation as a minister.
"In England there is such room to breath, there are no strait jackets and I can speak to my neighbouring priests at any time. There is no opposition to me speaking in another church, or a priest speaking in mine."
Rev Armstrong arrived in Omagh on Tuesday to visit Fr Mullan and returned to England late yesterday evening.
It is only the second time in thirteen years that he has come back to the North. He returned two years ago to participate in a BBC documentary.
"I was so glad to be able to come here this week. I just concentrated on getting here to see Kevin. At least I know that Kevin is coping well in the terrible straits of this tragedy, and that is of great comfort and strength to me."
Reverend Armstrong is optimistic for the future of Northern Ireland.
"When I walked down Omagh street, I found that the people of this town are graciously kind. The whole situation is a little different from what it was fourteen years ago. Maybe this country is changing for the better.
"Omagh always had the reputation of being a quiet settled town and a savage deed has been done here.
"But I definitely feel that these terrible deaths are the last. That is my strong belief. It can only be hoped that some good will come out of the sheer desperation that this town feels."
Rev Armstrong has had links with Omagh in the past, not alone because of Father Mullan.
The best man at his wedding was local man Jack Richardson, formerly from Old Mountfield Road, who is now a Minister in Lisburn.
When asked if he would ever consider returning to Northern Ireland the Minister said:
"If I was 100% sure that I could conduct worship then I would be willing to return. I would like to be able to conduct my services without getting heckled or booed.
"It is not because of the troubles in this country that I have not returned. I would like to be able to conduct my services as they should be".
Fr Mullan told the "Herald" that it was comforting to see his friend again.
"We have been through so much together. It is good to have his support at this time."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0291
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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