The Dean of Down is facing mounting pressure over allegations of a “calculated insult” to the memory of murdered UDR soldiers, according to a Belfast newspaper.
A report in the Newsletter on Wednesday last stated:
Following reports that the dean and chapter of Down Cathedral had turned down an approach to dedicate a UDR standard at a memorial service, a spokeswoman for dean Henry Hull said “there were some aspects of the service the dean was unhappy with”.
Several angry relatives of murdered UDR members contacted the News Letter to express their anger at the decision, and Down councillor Henry Reilly said there was a lot of concern within the local community at the perceived snub.
Mr Reilly said: “I had a UDR man I know very well – a Church of Ireland man himself – who was actually in tears. He couldn’t believe that the church had done this.”
The UKIP councillor said he understood the Down diocese would be unable to intervene as “the dean has the same power over the cathedral that a minister has in a church – that is, virtually all-powerful”.
Mr Reilly added: “This is a deeply hurtful and flawed decision which flies in the face of Christian ideals and has caused severe pain and hurt to former members of the regiment and their families.”
In a statement released yesterday, dean Hull said: “I have not received a request from the UDR Association to conduct a memorial service in Down Cathedral.”
He added: “I was approached about the dedication of a standard but felt it more appropriate to invite the UDR to attend the annual service of remembrance in the cathedral as has been their tradition for a number of years.
“On this occasion there will be the opportunity to lay a wreath at the peace window in memory of their fallen comrades which they are warmly invited to do.”
Several of those who contacted the News Letter had posted comments on the Facebook internet site saying they would be organising some form of protest action to put pressure on the Church of Ireland to intervene.
Dean Hull is renowned for his cross-community bridge-building efforts and has attended high-profile GAA events.
The diocese website features details of the clergyman cheering on Down at the All-Ireland final in Dublin last year, and pictures of the Irish president’s visit to the cathedral last April.
Following the visit of Mary McAleese, dean Hull wrote on the diocese website: “We see the cathedral as a place for the whole community. We work closely together with all the churches in Downpatrick, evidenced by all my colleagues joining us this morning, and on St Patrick’s Day and Christmas Eve, this building is at bursting point with folk from all denominations here.”
Mr Reilly said he would “respectfully call on the dean and chapter of Down Cathedral to reverse this discriminatory decision”.
When contacted by the News Letter yesterday, a spokesman for Co Down UDR Association said it would not be making any comment until after the next meeting of the county association.