A Belfast priest has welcomed a deal which has resulted in the Orange Order agreeing to re-route one of their most contentious annual parades away from a north Belfast flashpoint.The Tour of the North parade next week will not return past the Ardoyne shops - scene of many violent clashes - following a deal brokered by nationalist residents and parade organisers.
The decision has raised hope the summer can pass without inter-community tensions being raised.
Ardoyne priest Fr Aiden Troy said the deal was a major breakthrough. "I believe this agreement could give this community the peaceful marching season which we all want so desperately," he said.
Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly, the Sinn Fein MLA for the area, said: "This is a good news story for North Belfast and particularly for all those adversely affected by contentious marches in the past.
"I hope this breakthrough will set the tone for a peaceful summer and I support the efforts of all those trying to find a resolution to this issue."
Positive engagement between the Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group and the North and West Belfast Parades Forum resulted in the Forum withdrawing the return leg of the parade past Ardoyne.
Mr Kelly added: "Sinn Fein has always said that the way to resolve all these matters is through dialogue. I want to congratulate all those who have been involved in the long and protracted negotiations around the issue of parades."
Joe Marley of the Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group welcomed the decision. "From our perspective, we view this as a highly significant move."
He added: "Local engagement, local dialogue is certainly as far as we're concerned, the best way to secure an overall settlement that meets the needs of both communities."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce