Minister defends priest over 'Nazi' unionists jibe

Controversial comments by Father Alec Reid comparing unionists in the North to the Nazis were said in the heat of the moment, his fellow witness to IRA disarmament claimed today.

Methodist minister the Rev Harold Good accepted the Catholic priest’s apology over comments he made during angry exchanges at a public meeting on IRA weapons decommissioning in Belfast last night.

Fr Reid apologised for saying during clashes with some audience members at a public meeting at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church: “The reality is that the nationalist community in Northern Ireland were treated almost like animals by the unionist community.

“They were not treated like human beings.

“It was like the Nazis’ treatment of the Jews.”

Several outraged audience members walked out after the Redemptorist priest’s remarks, including Willie Frazer, of the victims group Families Acting For Innocent Relatives, who claimed Protestants were butchered by Catholics during the Troubles.

Fr Reid, whose talks with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams influenced the IRA’s decision to declare a ceasefire in 1994, admitted afterwards his remarks were made during a flash of anger.

“I found myself being strongly provoked and offended by many of the comments which were being made about my integrity and my church. In the heat of the moment I lost my temper,” he said.

Mr Good said he was disappointed by Fr Reid’s comments but accepted his explanation.

The Methodist minister told BBC Radio Ulster: “It was said in the context of a very heated moment within this meeting when some things were being said about him personally, about his church, about Clonard (Monastery).

“Allegations that were quite unfounded and unsubstantiated, which were very hurtful and dangerous, were being made.

“In the heat of that moment Fr Alec reacted in a way that I know from what he said to me later he regretted the way in which he put it.”

Earlier this year, Irish President Mary McAleese was forced to apologise for making similar comments in a radio interview during a Holocaust commemoration recalling the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

President McAleese was forced to pull out of a visit to the loyalist Shankill Road after saying Protestants had raised their children to hate Catholics in much the same way as the Nazis had instilled a hatred of the Jews.

Mr Frazer refused to accept Fr Reid’s apology today, saying he had shown bitterness towards the Protestant community.

“He is trying to backtrack. Of course he would apologise after it all took place. Given the situation he is in, he had no other choice.”