Burning of portrait an 'insult' to Protestants
THE theft of a replica painting, which was later burned on a bonfire in the Bogside, has been branded an "insult" to the Protestant people of Londonderry.
The stolen aluminium replica portrait of eighteenth century bishop, Frederick Hervey, the longest serving Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry, adorned a wooden hoarding in the grounds of St Columb's Cathedral.
It was stolen six weeks ago and burned on a bonfire at Lecky Road on Saturday night.
Cathedral Dean William Morton says the burning was "disgraceful".
"There has been a lot going on at the cathedral recently and it was decided to brighten up the wooden hoardings by attaching aluminium replica pictures to them," he said.
"Among them was a pictorial representation of the Earl Bishop, Frederick Augustus Hervey.
"Someone came in and invaded the sanctity of the church yard and that is not acceptable – in fact, it is theft."
Dean Morton says that, while the image may not have been valuable in monetary terms, its theft and subsequent destruction is a "terrible insult to the Church of Ireland and to Protestant people in general".
"It shouldn't be forgotten that Bishop Hervey was well known for his ecumenism, having donated money to building several churches, including St Columba's Church, Long Tower.
"The people who did this probably don't know, and most likely don't care, that Bishop Hervey contributed a large sum of money to the building of Long Tower Church, just yards from where this image was burned."
Last night, Ulster Unionist councillor Mary Hamilton condemned the incident as "disgusting".
The UUP woman queried: "For anyone to stoop that low, it is just unbelievable."
Mrs Hamilton – who questioned the legality of the bonfire to coincide with the Ancient Order of Hibernians' day on August 15 – said she would be bringing the matter to the attention of her colleagues on Derry City Council.
"I am on the bonfire committee in Derry City Council and I am going to recommend that anyone holding a bonfire requires a licence.
"It is ridiculous as it is ultimately the ratepayer who bears the brunt of the following clean-up."
The UUP councillor believes the matter has only served to damage community relations in the city following a highly successful Maiden City Festival.
"We're trying to move the city on and we have enough problems with massive job losses without this," she added.
"I think people just need to start respecting each other's culture."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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