9 March 2009 | Statement by Most Reverend Dr Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, on the attack on Masserene Barracks Saturday night 7 March 2009

09 Mar 2009

PRESS RELEASE
8 March 2009

Statement by Most Reverend Dr Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, on the attack on Masserene Barracks Saturday night 7 March 2009

I condemn the murderous attack carried out at Masserene barracks on Saturday night, 7 March 2009. My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the two Army personnel murdered in the attack.  I express my sympathy to their families and to all who mourn for them.  I commend those injured in the attack to the prayers of all.

There must be no support in the community for those who would attempt to drag our society back to the futility, destruction and horror of a violent past.

In the face of such attacks all citizens must redouble their efforts to build a peaceful society which pursues justice and reconciliation through the patient dialogue of the political process. This process has brought benefit to all. Those who propose any other way wreck our future and destroy hope.  From whatever quarter they may come, those who would seek to return our society to violence, threaten the recent progress towards  a better future. They must recognise that all responsible citizens reject utterly the use of violence.

I appeal to anyone who has information, which might help to bring to justice those involved in carrying out this attack, to give that information to the Police. 

I appeal to all and especially to young people: do not to be tempted to use violence in any circumstances. Once unleashed, violence destroys life and corrupts society. All who have experienced and suffered the recent decades of violence know this.  I appeal to all to reject any glamorisation of the violence of the past.

A future of hope and true freedom is built on respect for the sanctity of all human life.  Building that future, desired by all citizens, requires constructive commitment to peaceful means. Such commitment is a constant requirement for effective, good and credible governance of society. 

This callous and horrendous murder of these two men and the maiming of the others must lead us to be resolute in our condemnation and repudiation of violence.

+ Noel Treanor

ENDS