Sinn Fein and the DUP were again at loggerheads last night after Nelson McCausland said he would not go to a Catholic church. Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney questioned how he could carry out his responsibilities as Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in an impartial way.
But the minister said Sinn Fein was failing to show tolerance for deeply held personal beliefs.
Mr McCausland has threatened to withdraw funding from GAA clubs with names linked to the IRA and the DUP believe this was why he was being targeted in last night's Assembly motion.
Mr McCartney said: "It is my belief that all ministers should commit themselves not to make religious belief a barrier to carrying out duties in an impartial and non-partisan way."
The Sinn Fein motion called on the minister to withdraw his statement that he will not attend a service in a Catholic church, to recognise that such a refusal to attend a Catholic church service from a minister has no place in an inclusive society, and that as a minister he has a duty to engage with all sections of society.
The motion was defeated.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us 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 we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: BT