The Catholic and Church of Ireland primates have called on the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road nationalists in Portadown to use every means possible to try to reach an accommodation over Drumcree.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, and his Church of Ireland counterpart, Dr Robin Eames, in a joint statement yesterday said they shared the "widespread concern and fears of many people" over the Drumcree parade on Sunday, July 5th.
They said they recognised the depth of feeling among Orangemen and nationalists about Drumcree. "We urge all with influence in both communities to do all they can to encourage respect for the feelings and aspirations of others."
They said Portadown Orangemen and local nationalists should "use every means possible to seek to achieve accommodation. To ensure that there is no threat to human life and no danger of damage to property we urge them to act with restraint, to act peaceably, and within the law so that the rights of both traditions may be respected and expressed with dignity.
"We are conscious of the tension which this event evokes and pray that a new awareness of the rights and duties of all our communities may be evident at this time."
