The Armagh centenary service did not represent the Northern Ireland that I know

A letter from Joe Patterson:
By Letters
Published 26th Oct 2021, 11:23 BST
Updated 26th Oct 2021, 11:26 BST
The Roman Catholic leader made a largely critical political statement, but the Protestant church leaders said hardly anything to make me a British Ulsterman proudThe Roman Catholic leader made a largely critical political statement, but the Protestant church leaders said hardly anything to make me a British Ulsterman proud
The Roman Catholic leader made a largely critical political statement, but the Protestant church leaders said hardly anything to make me a British Ulsterman proud

With regard to the article by Ben Lowry (‘Centenary service should have celebrated Northern Ireland, ’ October 23, see link below) I am heartened others feel as I do about the inappropriate content and structure of the Armagh cathedral service.

I, too, felt it in no way truly represented the Northern Ireland I was born into and grew up in.

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From the Roman Catholic leader’s remarks I got what I expected: a largely critical political statement, but from the Protestant church leaders hardly anything to make me proud of being what I am: a British Ulsterman.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Indeed, I was angered by Dr David Bruce who, after introducing himself as being from an ‘Ulster Presbyterian family’, timidly followed the RC leader by failing to say ‘in county Londonderry’.

And why was it thought necessary to have the second Bible reading given by a young man with a brogue which no-way represented anywhere in Northern Ireland?!

The coverage of it was just what we expect from the BBC — nearly always leaning to the nationalist/republican side in NI matters.

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They have been ‘woke’ in this decades before that term ever reached us from the USA.

I’m thankful for the continued existence of the Belfast News Letter to forcefully put forward the British unionist cause in the Province.

Joe Patterson, London SW8

• Henry McDonald: Absence of Queen at centenary service was spun beyond credulity

• Ben Lowry:Centenary church service should have celebrated Northern Ireland

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• Other reaction to the service below and beneath that information on how to subscribe to the News Letter

• Letter: I’m sorry the Queen is unwell but do not regret the fact she missed the Armagh service

• Billy Kennedy: Queen’s absence left a huge void at centenary service

• John Cushnahan: To those who distorted nature of centenary service — Shame on you!

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• Editorial: Armagh centenary service was not a celebration of Northern Ireland

• Doug Beattie: Sinn Fein incredibly small-minded over NI centenary event

• ‘Sinn Fein determined to start culture war with unionism’: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

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Related topics:Northern IrelandBen LowryArmaghQueen