Sir, - Those who have been observing the Northern scene since the Troubles exploded in the late 1960s are aware of the Rev William Arlow, and the sincere hard work that he has been doing for more than 20 years, mostly away from the glare of publicity.
It was fitting that he should be the one to speak for the Church of Ireland in the "Rite and Reason" article (August 6th) regarding the obscenity of Drumcree. Since no one at a higher level of authority in the Church thought fit to speak out on the abuse of the church premises and grounds at Drumcree by the Orangemen, he was the one most able to speak out. It was something that had needed saying for a long time.
For the first 50 years of the existence of the Northern state ruled by Stormont, everyone was aware of the gerrymandering and gross discrimination against the nationalist community in the matter of jobs, housing, government and local government. If the bishops had spoken out about these matters and used their influence, something constructive would have been achieved. However, they remained tight lipped and did nothing to rock the unionist boat.
Recently a group of Presbyterians from 14 separate congregations published a letter in the Irish News, asking Catholics to forgive them for the "communal sin" of Drumcree. After the Drumcree upheaval, some journalists wrote of the very many moderate unionists who were horrified at what happened, but they would not raise their heads above the battlements to articulate their opinions. If we had more of Canon Arlow's courage and that of those Presbyterians who said, "sorry", there would be a better prospect for Northern Ireland's future. - Yours, etc.,
Blarney,
Co. Cork.