WE are approaching a weekend when there is a widespread apprehension and fear that once again we might be brought to the edge of a precipice. The tensions that have built up in the past couple of years, and in particular after the events at Drumcree last summer, have made many people bitter, resentful and intolerant.

A repetition of what we experienced in 1996, or even anything approaching it on a smaller scale, is obviously the biggest fear in the minds of us all as we try to contemplate a way forward that will bring healing to our divided communities.

People often wonder what exactly the position of the Church of Ireland is in relation to "Orange" services being held in a parish church like Drumcree. Questions have repeatedly been asked in the past 12 months: Should such services be banned? Should the Church of Ireland distance itself from the Orange Order?

In attempting to answer such questions, I would want to make the following points:

. Who would ban such services? Bishops do not have the authority to put restrictions on what acts of worship ought or ought not to be permitted in parish churches; and, even if they did, would it necessarily be advisable to deny access to a church service simply because a similar event in the past had been subject to abuse?

. The Church of Ireland does not have any connection or identity with the Orange Order any more than with other organisations which uphold certain ideals and principles.

IT IS true that there are many dedicated Church of Ireland members who bare also members of the Orange Order that is their own individual choice - but that does not automatically establish an official link with the Order. Therefore, one cannot really talk about the Church of Ireland distancing itself from an organisation that is not directly linked to it.

It's all very easy to condemn the events surrounding Drumcree 1996 without stopping to think just what the real cause was that led to such disturbance and violence; for in no way could we describe Drumcree as an isolated incident. It would be more accurate to say that Drumcree was the culmination of many events stretching back to the beginning of Northern Ireland's political unrest in 1968.

Many Northern Protestants, and not only those who would claim a "loyalist" allegiance, have genuine fears that their identity, traditions and culture are being gradually eroded, so much so that they saw Drumcree 1996 as "the last straw". They are very frightened that what they have cherished with freedom through the years will soon become extinct, and it would seem that they are ready to go to any lengths to ensure that that will never happen.

Those of us who belong to the Church of Ireland in the South cannot hope to have any real understanding of the agony which Northern Protestants are going through at the present time.

In the Republic, even though the Church of Ireland is a very tiny minority, community and ecumenical relations are improving all the time. There is, therefore, no threat to us as there is to the Protestant communities in the North. We are not being marginalised; they fear they are; and that I believe, is a very big factor in trying to understand the Northern situation.

There are, nevertheless, signs of hope. We must surely commend the courage of the parish priest of Harryville Church in Ballymena who took the decision to discontinue the Saturday evening Masses until further notice.

This may be seen by many to be giving in to thuggery and intimidation of the worst possible kind. I firmly believe, on the other hand, that his actions have shown a standard of Christian generosity which I hope will be emulated by other parties who seem to be conditioned and blinded by an attitude of "No surrender".

If nationalists and unionists could learn something of this same spirit of generosity, it could be possible for traditional marches to take place in an atmosphere whereby the customs and cultures of all sections of the community could be enjoyed and respected.

It's not beyond the bounds of possibility, but it can only happen when love for our neighbour will show us how to listen to one another, to respect one another, to co-operate with one another and to learn from one another.

A MOTION was passed at the General Synod of the Church of Ireland this year affirming that we are opposed to sectarianism and that we should initiate an examination of church life at all levels to identify ways which we, the Church of Ireland, may be deemed to be accommodating to sectarianism.

This examination must surely begin with ourselves individually. All of us should review our own lives and try to see just how much sectarianism is to be found in each one of us. Wouldn't it be fair to suggest that few of us are completely free from some outlook of a sectarian nature?

Therefore, it is all too easy for us to point the finger at the people of Northern Ireland and tell them that it is about time they got their act together and settled their problems and difficulties. Who are we to speak, knowing that all of us could be accused of sectarianism in one form or another?

The key to healing, then, is surely just as much our responsibility as those who live north of the Border.