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Protestant church leaders criticise loyalist bands Protestant church leaders criticise loyalist bands
(about 1 hour later)
The leaders of two Protestant churches in Northern Ireland have criticised as "sectarian" the actions of loyalist bands outside a Catholic church.The leaders of two Protestant churches in Northern Ireland have criticised as "sectarian" the actions of loyalist bands outside a Catholic church.
Trouble erupted in Belfast on Saturday after the bands passed the church in defiance of the Parades Commission.Trouble erupted in Belfast on Saturday after the bands passed the church in defiance of the Parades Commission.
Presbyterian Moderator Reverend Roy Patton said their actions were "totally unacceptable".Presbyterian Moderator Reverend Roy Patton said their actions were "totally unacceptable".
Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper said it was "blatantly sectarian".Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper said it was "blatantly sectarian".
Both men were speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.
The bands were not allowed to play music while passing St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street during a Royal Black Institution march.The bands were not allowed to play music while passing St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street during a Royal Black Institution march.
A number of protesters were separated from the march by a large police presence.A number of protesters were separated from the march by a large police presence.
The Shankill Road-based Young Conway Volunteers band also defied a ruling which barred them from marching past the church.The Shankill Road-based Young Conway Volunteers band also defied a ruling which barred them from marching past the church.
It had been filmed walking in circles outside the same church while playing a contentious song on 12 July.It had been filmed walking in circles outside the same church while playing a contentious song on 12 July.
Mr Patton said the Presbyterian Church had a "very clear stance in terms of bigotry and hatred".Mr Patton said the Presbyterian Church had a "very clear stance in terms of bigotry and hatred".
"I think we would be very clear as a church that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and is not in keeping with the values that the Loyal Orders espouse," he said."I think we would be very clear as a church that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and is not in keeping with the values that the Loyal Orders espouse," he said.
"As a church we deem such behaviour to be unacceptable."As a church we deem such behaviour to be unacceptable.
"There is no defence in terms of the people on the street, and we recognise that the Parades Commission is the legally established body and what they say should be accepted at that level."There is no defence in terms of the people on the street, and we recognise that the Parades Commission is the legally established body and what they say should be accepted at that level.
"We recognise that people have particular issues perhaps with the Parades Commission but this is not the way to deal with them and such behaviour is inconsistent with any profession of Christian faith.""We recognise that people have particular issues perhaps with the Parades Commission but this is not the way to deal with them and such behaviour is inconsistent with any profession of Christian faith."
Mr Harper said: "Whether or not the actions were in defiance of the Parades Commission, the outcome was blatantly sectarian.Mr Harper said: "Whether or not the actions were in defiance of the Parades Commission, the outcome was blatantly sectarian.
"That is wholly unacceptable to me and to the Church of Ireland."That is wholly unacceptable to me and to the Church of Ireland.
"We've spent a long time examining sectarianism within our own church and we are very clear that sort of thing is not acceptable and is no way to build a harmonious society."We've spent a long time examining sectarianism within our own church and we are very clear that sort of thing is not acceptable and is no way to build a harmonious society.
Asked whether he thought the Loyal Orders were a sectarian organisation, he said: "There are certain aspects of what they hold that are anti-Catholic in the sense of anti the Catholic religion but that doesn't mean you have to be anti Catholic people and not respect other groups' dearly held beliefs and traditions.Asked whether he thought the Loyal Orders were a sectarian organisation, he said: "There are certain aspects of what they hold that are anti-Catholic in the sense of anti the Catholic religion but that doesn't mean you have to be anti Catholic people and not respect other groups' dearly held beliefs and traditions.
"How can you expect your own cultural and religious beliefs to be respected if you don't respect those of others?""How can you expect your own cultural and religious beliefs to be respected if you don't respect those of others?"
Mr Patton said actions spoke louder than words.Mr Patton said actions spoke louder than words.
"I think they need to demonstrate that those Christian credentials are an accurate reflection of what they are as an organisation, and demonstrate that on the ground," he said."I think they need to demonstrate that those Christian credentials are an accurate reflection of what they are as an organisation, and demonstrate that on the ground," he said.