Catholic archbishop gets warm welcome at Ulster Tower

The head of the Catholic church in Ireland has spoken of the warm welcome he received today at the Ulster Tower.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Jul 2016, 20:47 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:31 BST
Archbishop Eamon Martin meets Ernie Black at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval, on the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. By Ben LowryArchbishop Eamon Martin meets Ernie Black at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval, on the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. By Ben Lowry
Archbishop Eamon Martin meets Ernie Black at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval, on the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. By Ben Lowry

“To be here today – that is an honour for me,” Achbishop Eamon Martin said. “This was the centenary year for the 1916 Rising and also the Somme. I got that it was important that I was here because it is clear to me that this tower runs very deep into the minds and hearts of many families in Ulster.

“I have received a very positive welcome here from people who would not be of my tradition.”

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As Archbishop Martin was explaining to the News Letter how someone had just come up to him and said it “meant a lot to me that you are here” yet another man came up to him.

Archbishop Eamon Martin and Ernie Black at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval. By Ben LowryArchbishop Eamon Martin and Ernie Black at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval. By Ben Lowry
Archbishop Eamon Martin and Ernie Black at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval. By Ben Lowry

“Good to see you here,” said Ernie Black, offering his hand to the Archbishop of Armagh. “People get an example today that will have a long reach into the future.”

Wearing a Somme Association blazer, Mr Black went on to explain that he was speaking as someone who had been shot by the IRA, but he always emphasised that he had been shot “by the IRA – not by Catholics”.

Archbishop Martin said: “After 100 years, we are beginning to open up our minds a little. There is a shared narrative.

“Many Irish Catholics fought and died here.”

Related topics:Eamon MartinCatholic churchIrelandIRAPeople