A bitter feud at a Co Down church looks set to
continue after worshippers abandoned their pews and staged a dramatic
walk-out in protest at the presence of their own minister. Around 60 opponents of Rev George Speers got up and walked out of Ballynahinch Congregational Church's morning service yesterday.
It was a peaceful demonstration, unlike seven days earlier when the police had to be called to quell angry exchanges between rival parishioners.
The evening service passed even more uneventfully.
Around 70 members of the congregation were present and there were no protests or walk-outs.
Rev Speers has made it clear that he will not be giving up his post despite no longer receiving a salary from the church.
He maintains his removal –voted for by church-goers at a Congregational meeting in June 27 last year – has no legal basis.
However the protesters are adamant that he and his two assistants no longer have a role.
The feud has become so bitter that some parishioners are refusing to have loved ones' funeral services held at the church.
Rev Speers and his colleagues, Stephen Walker and George Galbraith, were ordered out of the church, according to protesters, because of their "dictatorial methods" and their non-adherence to Congregationalism.
Following yesterday's walkout, church trustee Sammy Graham read out a statement outlining the stance of Rev Speers' opponents.
"Our church's solicitors have indicated that the meeting (to remove Rev Speers) was legal and valid," he said.
"These three men have been removed but have refused to step down, even though they have been issued with their P45s and P60s."
Mr Graham accused Rev Speers of "taking the pulpit by force" every Sunday and added that he was disappointed with the unruly scenes of a week earlier.
But, he said, they were brought about by "frustration and deep despair which the majority of the peace-loving members have been brought down to".
Yesterday, Rev Speers, who has been in place for seven years, refused to elaborate on the statement he made at the weekend.
"I will not be deterred from preaching by the illegal actions of a group of protesters," his statement said.
"By their actions they have violated all that scripture teaches about worship and have denied others the fundamental liberty to worship without interference.
"I have been greatly encouraged by the messages of support given to me by members of my congregation, ministers from various denominations and members of the general public."
As rival factions become increasingly entrenched in a bitter row and with no end in sight to the dispute, there were mixed views from people outside the church yesterday.
Former trainee care assistant Christine Alderdice (below), from Ballynahinch, said Rev Speers had her full support.
"This row is really ridiculous. There's no sense in it at all. I didn't think they would fall out with him the way they have done," the 51-year-old said.
"He's a Calvinist. Calvinists are people who go by the Bible and I think some people think his views are too strong. But if Rev Speers left over the feud I would go with him."
Harry McNamara (78), who doesn't support Rev Speers, said he has been going to the church for more than 72 years. "We'll be here again to protest next Sunday morning. I don't know what it'll take to resolve this row," he said.
STORY SO FAR
Years of tension erupted last Sunday when Rev George Speers was jeered with whistles and chants of "out, out, out" during angry exchanges between worshippers.
The minister continued with his sermon, at one point using a megaphone to be heard over the noise.
Police had to storm into the church to break up the protest.