Presbyterians want flag to go.
From IRISH NEWS December 5th, 1998
By Nevin Farrell
A DELEGATION from one of the main Protestant church denominations in Northern
Ireland has told the Patten Commission union flags should not be flown at
police stations. The submission from the general assembly of the Presbyterian
Church says they "note favourably the practice in Scotland where the local constabulary flag is normally flown at police stations rather than the union flag". The church also said officers should be trained in "sensitive awareness of and respect for the complex strands of religious, cultural, social and political attitudes which characterise the people of Northern Ireland".
The churchmen, led by Moderator Dr John Dixon, told the commission they
wanted to see a country where the community was "at peace with itself" and
where people from different traditions "work together in a political structure which embraces and honours obvious diversity." The statement said: "A constituent part of a community of this type would be policing that is reflective and supportive through its composition, culture and style." The Presbyterian leadership said they were concerned about the under- representation of Catholics in the police. They said the RUC must serve unionists and nationalists and
be comprised of people from all traditions. The delegation said symbols
were sensitive to both parts of the community and that although they wanted
the name RUC retained, they supported the sub-title of 'Northern Ireland
Policing Service'. The present RUC badge incorporating the crown, harp and
shamrock, they argued, comprehensively covers traditions within Northern
Ireland. The churchmen also paid tribute to the service given by the RUC
pointing out the human and emotional cost which had been borne out by officers
and their families. |
