Bishop Noel Treanor's statement was issued as violent confrontations erupted in parts of North Belfast as traditional loyalist marches got underway. Calling for restraint, Bishop Treanor underlined it is possible to find peaceful outcomes, even to long-standing grievances.
“I know that traditional marches can give rise to strong emotions. For some they are cherished cultural events. For others, a small minority of marches still cause genuine anger and apprehension,” he acknowledged in his statement.
The Bishop, however, said that NI’s political leaders had shown that, “whatever concerns individuals and communities may have, the only way to resolve these is through dialogue.”
“Violent actions benefit no-one. They simply delay the search for agreed ways forward,” he warned.
He called upon all those involved in marches or protests to ensure that their activities are conducted in a way that causes no damage or harm to the communities affected.
Bishop Treanor also called on organisers to do everything to discourage people from other areas coming in to exploit local grievances and to be ready to engage with all parties to find solutions, while avoiding actions and words that would damage rather than help relationships.
"Help young people to learn non-violent ways of resolving disputes and co-operate with the PSNI and other statutory authorities in preserving the peace,” he urged.
However, his call appears to have fallen on deaf ears as violence erupted on the streets of north Belfast on Thursday evening following the 12 July Orange Order parade in the mainly nationalist Ardoyne area.
As many as 20 PSNI officers were injured in the rioting as petrol bombs, pipe bombs, bricks and bottles were thrown at them by local youths, while shots were also fired at the police during the disturbances.
In a press briefing, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott described the gunfire as, “attempted murder,” of members of the police force, while the Secretary of State for NI, Owen Paterson, condemned the disturbances as, “totally inexcusable.” Four men have been remanded in custody over the rioting.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams has called on the Orange Order to play its part in defusing tension over the contentious July parade in North Belfast. He said the residents of the Ardoyne had been waiting over 15 years for dialogue with the Orange Order.
Mr Adams added, “The Orange Order needs to step forward and make their contribution to the peace process. That means dialogue with residents."
Meanwhile, in another controversial event on The Twelvth, the Orange Order in Northern Ireland has been asked to explain why a Loyalist band played sectarian music outside a Catholic.
Members of a flute band, wearing Shankill YCV uniforms, were recorded walking round in circles outside Saint Patrick's Church on Donegall Street in Belfast city centre.
At one point, the band, which stalled for 15 minutes outside the church, played a number of sectarian songs that were captured on YouTube.
Sinn Féin Councillor for North Belfast, Conor Maskey, said that the Orange Order had questions to answer as the same incidents had been happening at Carrickhill and Saint Patrick's Chapel year after year.
“It is time for the Orange Order to show leadership, step into the 21st century and get rid of the organisation's anti-Catholic sectarian ethos. Until that happens, then clearly this bigoted side of the organisation will continue to manifest itself in such incidents.”
A spokesperson for the Belfast Grand Orange Lodge said, “The band had stopped outside the church because of a delay in the main procession. The institution reviews all parades and will take any issues raised into account as part of that review.”
Meanwhile the PSNI said, “During a parade through the area it was observed that two bands continued to play whilst stationary outside the church. Although it was deemed that this was not in breach of a parades commission determination, officers liaised with parade stewards and organisers to resolve the situation peacefully. The recorded footage will be studied closely. If any criminal offences are detected a full and thorough investigation will be carried out.”