Church rules out challenge to Sinn Féin

THE Papal Nuncio to Ireland has said it is not for the Church to challenge Sinn Féin on its murky links to IRA violence.

In correspondence with a man who had questioned the Church’s attitude towards Sinn Féin, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto said: “The Church has given guidance, but its mission is not a political one.

“It is up to lay people to engage themselves in that arena, drawing inspiration from the teaching of Christ and striving courageously to bring about a society where justice and peace prevail.”

Anthony Harnett, from Bishopstown in Cork, had written to the Archbishop asking why the Church had not been more vocal about this issue.

“Is there no Church leader willing to stand up to Sinn Féin’s propaganda about its ‘normality’ as a political party?” he asked.

“Is there anyone in the Church willing to challenge those people who vote for a party which retains its own private army in a high state of readiness?

“I would like you to inform me what the Church’s attitude to Sinn Féin/IRA really is, and tell me why there is such an ongoing and chilling silence from you and other Church leaders in this regard.”

But in his response, Archbishop Lazzarotto denied that the Church had been silent on the issue.

“To say that there has been a ‘chilling silence’ from Church leaders with regard to paramilitary or political violence in this country, in whatever guise it may present itself, overlooks entirely not alone the innumerable and continuing pronouncements of Pope John Paul II and so many bishops and priests against sectarian hatred and aggression in our society since the ‘Troubles’ began, but also the concrete contribution they have made to help bring about genuine peace and reconciliation in divided communities.”

He quoted from the Pope’s words during his visit to Drogheda in 1979 as an example of the Church’s rejection of violence.

Addressing those who were intent on violence, the Pontiff told them: ‘You may indeed proclaim that you are seeking justice. I, too, believe in justice and I am seeking it. But violence only delays the day of justice. It destroys the progress of justice. Further violence in Ireland will only bring ruin to the country that you claim to love and the values that you say you foster.”