Letter: Core basis for division in Northern Ireland is where people stand on the issue of violence - not religion or the constitutional question
A letter from Kenny Donaldson:
SEFF’s third annual service of remembrance, thanksgiving and hope for the North West region at Newbuildings Methodist Church on Sunday was a wonderful representation of remembrance, devotion and love.
The Baggley family were foremost in our thoughts, with Christine sharing a family reflection concerning the 50th anniversary of the cruel murder of Linda, who passed away on June 2, 1976 after having been shot and seriously injured a number of days previously.
Linda was aged just 19 years and was a reserve RUC GC constable. Just two years earlier her father William (Bill), who was also a reservist constable, was also murdered in Londonderry (just 100 metres separated the brutal crimes).
Scripture lessons were read by Gillian McElholm, daughter of Michael McGinley who was murdered by the UDA/UFF in the Annie’s Bar attack in 1972, and Jennifer Millar, daughter of Charles McNaul who was murdered by The Provisional IRA, also in the city.
And prayers were read by SEFF’s North West-based staff Michael McKeegan, son of L/Cpl John McKeegan who was murdered by the Provisional IRA, and Lara Burns, daughter of Robert Burns who was murdered by The IPLO.
We also had a beautiful contribution from Newbuildings Primary School who sang a number of pieces and who also read prayers.
Poignantly their prayer read:
‘As the future we care about where our country has come from, we sense the pain of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations.
‘We understand much was sacrificed so that we might have new opportunities to more fully live life today.
‘We also appreciate the responsibility on our shoulders to both carry forth the torch of remembrance but also to build a new society - a new Northern Ireland and a united community.’
Deacon Marlene Skuce delivered a powerful address where she connected with the sense of loss and injustice experienced by innocent victims/survivors of terrorism, but where she also shared a message of hope and renewal, where violence must not succeed.
I was also privileged to share closing remarks where I spoke to the theme of - ‘To grieve is to love.’
A core part of SEFF’s mission is the recalibration of attitudes concerning how society divides. We are clear that the religious denomination someone happens to be born into (or not) or where someone stands on the constitutional question is not the fundamental division.
Rather the core basis for division is where people stand on the issue of violence.
In the context of ‘the Northern Ireland Troubles’, those who used, justify or seek to explain away violence are of one tribe and those who do not are part of the other tribe.
SEFF (Supporting, Empowering, Fair and Focused) will continue to unify people on the basis of truth, and this mission has never been more important.
SEFF’s Memorial Quilts exhibition continues to be hosted at Newbuildings Methodist Church and will remain in situ until 1pm on Wednesday.
Kenny Donaldson, SEFF director