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Robinson’s ‘silence’ on Cardinal's death sparks backlash
Saturday, 2 January 2010
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First Minister Peter Robinson is under fire after he failed to issue a statement on the death of Cardinal Cahal Daly.
The much respected 92-year-old former Catholic primate, who died earlier this week, was renowned for his work towards peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and for the hardline attitude he adopted towards the IRA, as well as the hand of friendship he extended to the Protestant community.
But last night the DUP was refusing to make any public statement on behalf of the First Minister following Dr Daly’s death in Belfast City Hospital on New Year’s Eve.
In contrast, a string of Protestant clergymen have been paying tribute to the former Catholic Primate of Ireland who was instrumental in the peace process.
They include Presbyterian Moderator Stafford Carson, The Reverend Donald Kerr, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and Church of Ireland Primate Alan Harper.
Public representatives have indicated that as Northern Ireland’s leading politician, representing the whole community, the First Minister should have made a public statement on the death of such a high-profile figure.
The Belfast Telegraph contacted both the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the DUP to inquire about a statement from Mr Robinson.
A spokeswoman for the OFMDFM said it was not a matter for the department.
A DUP spokesman, after taking a number of calls from this office, instead issued a statement on behalf of DUP Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
It said: “I send my sincere sympathy to Cardinal Daly's family circle at this time of grief.
“Whilst I had many differences with the cardinal in both political and theological matters, I pay tribute to his consistent opposition to the use of violence.
“His passing has undoubtedly left many within the Roman Catholic community and beyond deeply saddened and we recognise their immense grief at this time.”
However, the absence of any public words from the First Minister has angered both nationalist and unionist politicians. Alliance MLA Sean Neeson, who was tutored by Dr Daly at Queen’s, said: “Because he is the First Minister and representing the whole community I am deeply disappointed that he has not recognised the contribution that Cardinal Daly has made to Northern Ireland.
“Peter Robinson is the First Minister and represents all the people and as such he should have made a statement about a man who did so much to bring peace to Northern Ireland.”
Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry said: “It’s rather sad as First Minister and leader of the DUP he could not even make a comment of condolence.
SDLP MLA John Dallat said: “Not only is Peter Robinson out of tune with the Catholic community but he is also out of tune with the vast majority of the Protestant community as well.
“The fact that the First Minister will not issue a statement is in reality a statement in itself.”
Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy, speaking on behalf of his party, said: “Whilst unionists would have had profound political differences with the cardinal, we always respected him as a man of integrity and immense standing within his church.
“He was a man of outstanding intellect on theological matters and he took a courageous stand against the violence of the IRA during the Troubles.”
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was among the first politicians to pay tribute to Dr Daly, alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.
Background
1972: Cardinal Daly spoke about the impossibility of coercing nearly a million Northern Ireland unionists into a united Ireland.
1974: he said there was “probably no greater factor of de-Christianisation at work in Ireland than the continuing violence''.
1976: with the late Rev Eric Gallagher, Cardinal Daly produced the report Violence in Ireland.
1979: he wrote an open letter to Northern Protestants .
1984: at a meeting of the New Ireland Forum he said that the hierarchy would oppose constitutional proposals which might endanger the civil and religious rights of northern Protestants.
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Comments
78 Comments
the days of homage to dying clergy are so over....bbc n.ireland has a blown up news item on this story....like the rest of them.......tone the coverage down...this isnt sectarianism....its just common sense...stop fawning over clergy...their normal people like the rest of us....nothing extra ordinary about them....just oridinary peolpe like bankers, council workers, politicians, butchers....etc etc
Posted by Jason Quinn | 04.01.10, 01:28 GMT
Although protestant being what i am with totally the sentiments of Graham Smyth .... (poster, eyes down). Then again by the BTs way of going, it would seem anyone doesnt comment at a time what deemed right by them is going to be tarred with the one brush anyway, be it that their wife is ill or not...
We dont get anywhere with all the inter-bickering yets thats all that has ever happened.
Posted by Alypetr | 03.01.10, 22:46 GMT
Sorry, did someone vote in a cardinal? Stupid me it was the `bridge to god´who voted for him, and Peter, voted in by the believers of the other god. Oh Allah, its a mixed up world
Posted by ron54 | 03.01.10, 22:40 GMT
Does he have to make any statement?
I dont think he does..he is our First Minister but he simply can't and doesn't have to say anything, its just out of respect and googwill that he would.
Posted by Warren | 03.01.10, 22:34 GMT
Robinson mercifully doesn't speak for the majority of Protestants. Too busy wallowing in the past to make significant and positive change for the future. Does this suprise anyone?
Posted by Scott Richards | 03.01.10, 22:01 GMT
Can`t be a lot going on when this is the best you can do to try and get some banter going , get a grip BT and start some serious reporting on things that are going on everyday in this country , i notice there is no name attached to this piece, but then again i didn`t really expect one as who would want to be credited with this
Posted by Chris | 03.01.10, 20:16 GMT
DUP - Depressingly Useless Politicians.
Posted by Seymour Bunting | 03.01.10, 19:09 GMT
Give Peter a chance. His wife has been ill and what with the time of the year he deserves some time. He has passed on his condolences now so please stop making a fuss.
Posted by Wesley_Artigarvan | 03.01.10, 18:09 GMT
All the modern Popes deplored violence........the late cardinal toed the party line totally in all aspects, including the attitude to claims of paedophilia. To do other than condemn violence and work for peace was unthinkable. State and church are separate in this country....Robinson need not respond officially, unless he intends to do the same when every church leader dies. I agree with john o'brien......why promote the clergy above other professions?
Posted by willeric | 03.01.10, 17:59 GMT
What do you expect from the DUP? So steeped in Orange that it is impossible to see or perceive another hue.
Peter Robinson, like his wife Iris, is just a classic example of all that is wrong with Ulster.
Dinosaurs who will never learn anything else.
It's a sad, sad situation for God's Christian Ulster.....mind you, The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland is not much better.
I guess you really do get what you deserve.
Posted by sean gilmartin | 03.01.10, 15:39 GMT
What a non story. As another poster stated, the BT are trying to stir the pot. Why is the headline not equally relating to the sad death of John Cushnie, a man whom I certainly respected?
This is a sad press that tries to force people into commenting and anyhow many of the comments of respect are often so shallow and meaningless. Many comment simply because of political correctness.
Posted by Robbo | 03.01.10, 15:03 GMT
Our First Minister I'm sure didnt meant to slight anyone. His wife (and the family) are coping with serious health issues and I am sure Mrs Robinsons statement last week that she was stepping down as a political representative took great courage and Peter's time has necessarily been spent with his family. Cut him some slack BT.
Posted by Margaret | 03.01.10, 14:09 GMT
To John - maybe the fact that Robinson, unfortunately, is first minister - means that it is his duty to show his respect and humility at such a time with the sad passing of the Cardinal. Sorry for using some big words. Hope you still can read it
Posted by hughthedonkey | 03.01.10, 13:40 GMT
The older and wiser i get, the more I realise that the self righteous, intransigent hatred of the Roman Catholic Church by so many Protestant evangelical Christians has been as much a barrier to peace as the IRA's bombs and bullets. Peter Robinson isn't 'the DUP', he's the First Minister of all of Northern Ireland and it's Northern Ireland that has lost a massively influential figure, whether you liked him or loathed him. It's for that reason that it's Peter Robinson as First Minister who has a duty to speak on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, and his failure to do so makes it appear that his personal agenda is more important than theirs. At the very least he has the duty to speak on behalf of the Roman Catholic population of Northern Ireland, who he chose to represent in taking up his position. If he wants to be sectarian and represent only Protestants he should step down as First Minister - and as an MP - as he's clearly unworthy of the office. He should stick to preaching.
Posted by Graham Smyth | 03.01.10, 11:34 GMT
Peter Robinson is tolerance personified.
Posted by Robert | 03.01.10, 11:33 GMT
It just sounds like any excuse to bash up the DUP and especially Peter Robinson. So what if he didnt comment, that's not the important factor here, the fact that Cahal Daly was opposed to violence is the main thing. Stop looking for reasons to jump on the bandwagon - remember the man and the good he believed in. This whole argument is just taking away from the fact that a good man has died. Let it go about Robinson and his non-comment!
Posted by Regina Fillangee | 03.01.10, 11:26 GMT
Another great man of the North has passed and even yet the DUP cannot relate to parity of esteem.
Condolences to the Cardinal's family and the community of NIreland.
Posted by Patrick J. Corr | 03.01.10, 10:54 GMT
lack of respect for "the other side" could be inferred by this lack of Christian spirit....but then, what would the Robinsons know about Christianity
Posted by Séamus | 03.01.10, 10:32 GMT
What a loser this guy is,
He couldn't even make a statement for a fine man that has passed away and was always against violence of any kind.
Posted by Big Tas | 03.01.10, 02:19 GMT
When senior community leaders decease it is usually public protocol for other high ranking representatives to make comment. I congragulate Arlene Foster for her sense of duty without having to compormise any values or beliefs. The Cardinal Daly was one man who had the courage to stand against evil terrorists destroying our lives. Unlike another leader who described the IRA as brave men. This man deserved the respect shown by so many of my faith.
Posted by Cllr David Barbour | 03.01.10, 02:13 GMT
78 Comments