Sir, - In the distress that is a natural part of reaction to atrocity, much is being said about the damage done to the peace agreement and even how worthless it has become. As we deal with the shock of the disgraceful cruelty of the bombing of Omagh on Saturday, this is perhaps understandable as people strive to express their outrage, but it is also unfortunate. The agreement, negotiated to conclusion on Good Friday this year and ratified so overwhelmingly in May, represents the finest achievement of the peoples of Ireland and their political representatives in many, many decades, if not longer. It is not rendered worthless by the criminality of an evil rump.
On Sunday it was not easy to preach on the gospel reading of the day (Luke 12:49-53) in which Jesus asks: "Do you suppose that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division .. ." The meaning of these prophetic words is not lost, however, because Jesus is speaking about the cost of keeping faith in darkness with commitments we make in the light. I believe that in the peace agreement we have made a great and honourable commitment to each other and one with which it is well worth keeping faith. Without it, Omagh would be only the latest bombing instead of what we hope is the last. - Yours, etc., Paschal Scallon, CM,
Vincentian Community,
Falls Road,
Belfast 12.