An apology by the Irish Republican Army for killing and maiming noncombatants during its 30-year campaign has been welcomed by church leaders in Northern Ireland

Christian Century, July 31, 2002

* An apology by the Irish Republican Army for killing and maiming noncombatants during its 30-year campaign has been welcomed by church leaders in Northern Ireland. "Every step, no matter how faltering or restricted, towards a recognition of the evils and hurt of the past must be welcomed," said the Anglican archbishop of Ireland, Robin Eames.

"Viewed from within the history of Irish Republicanism this statement represents a significant admission, but I would have welcomed wording which acknowledged all those whose lives were taken during the terrorist campaign." The IRA statement July 16 began by recalling "Bloody Friday"--July 21, 1972--when nine people were killed and many more injured in 20 explosions the IRA set off in Belfast. A senior Catholic prelate in Northern Ireland, Bishop Patrick Walsh of the diocese that includes Belfast, described the apology as very encouraging. "While it is very understandable that for some this statement does not go far enough, nevertheless it should be welcomed as a very significant further step in meeting the challenges and difficulties, as the statement acknowledges, of the peace process," the bishop said.