CLERGY AMONG 100,000 AT DUBLIN PEACE MARCH

Many Church of Ireland members took part in the Dublin Peace March on Saturday 15 February 2003 when approximately 100,000 people marched through the city in protest against war in Iraq. They included the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Very Revd Dr Robert MacCarthy, who was one of the speakers at the closing rally, the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Very Revd John Paterson, Revd Ian Poulton, Revd Patrick Comerford, Canon Brian Smeaton, Canon John P. Clarke and Revd Andrew Orr. Organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and the NGO Peace Alliance, groups representing trade unions, political parties, NGOs, and Churches were joined by people from all over the country who took part in the largest demonstration in the capital for decades.

The three-hour march began at Parnell Square, where speakers included Labour Deputy Michael D. Higgins and Bishop John Kirby of Trócaire, and wound its way through the city’s main thoroughfares to Dame Street where it ended with a rally of speeches, poetry and song.

Speakers at the final rally included trades unionist Des Geraghty, Green party MEP Patricia McKenna, Adi Roche, former UN official Denis Halliday and Dean Robert MacCarthy of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Some speakers urged the Government to listen to the views of the marchers. Others demanded an end to American Airforce planes using Shannon Airport. Most called for greater efforts at peace-making.

In his speech Dean MacCarthy asked a number of central questions. “Is it a just war? and commented, “Many of the US Churches think it’s not just and it’s not often they agree on anything!” “Will it help human rights in Iraq? Will it outlaw weapons of mass destruction? Will it tackle international terrorism? Has it the sanction of the UN Security Council?” To each question the crowd roared, “No”. To his final question, “Why is the US on the brink of war? they roared, “Oil.”

Ecumenical Peace Service
Earlier in the day several hundred people attended an ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace in Abbey Presbyterian Church organised by Christian Aid, the Irish Missionary Union and Trócaire. Speakers included Justin Kilcullen of Trócaire, Revd Terence McCaughey, Revd Patrick Comerford, CMSI, and Bishop Kirby.

Justin Kilcullen spoke movingly of a visit to a Baghdad bomb shelter where 485 people were vapourised during the Gulf War. Bishop Kirby spoke of the duty of countries to respect international law and to show solidarity with the more vulnerable countries by ensuring that resources were fairly distributed. Thus helping to eliminate war.

Revd Patrick Comerford warned that war in Iraq would be seen as a Christian war against the Muslim world. He urged the congregation to remember Christians living in Muslim societies and Muslims living in Ireland. Both groups were now in danger of being isolated and targeted.

- ENDS –

With the compliments of the Diocesan Communications Officer 17/02/03

THE CHURCH OF IRELAND DIOCESES OF DUBLIN & GLENDALOUGH
DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER VALERIE JONES
TEL: 01-4935 405/087-2356 472 (H) 01-4946 202 FAX: 01-4944 720
E-mail:dco@dublin.anglican.org