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RSSClergymen to be honoured for peace process role
30/06/2008 - 07:22:19
Two clergymen who witnessed the decommissioning of IRA weapons will be honoured for their role in the key chapter of the peace process, it was announced today.
Rev Harold Good and Fr Alec Reid are to receive honorary degrees at Queen’s University Belfast’s Centenary graduation ceremonies this week.
The two churchmen will be awarded on Thursday as part of a packed schedule of events which also include plaudits for showbiz personalities including actress Joanna Lumley.
In 2005 Rev Good and Fr Reid helped sceptics overcome their doubts over IRA intentions when they witnessed the secret destruction of the paramilitary group’s arsenal.
Rev Good is a former president of the Methodist Church who has served congregations in the North, in the South and in the US.
He later said of the decommissioning episode: “At that time I was very much aware of those who had genuine doubts as well as those who, for their own predictable and political reasons, sought to undermine the validity of our statement.
“However, all of that was totally eclipsed by the overwhelming amount of appreciation and affirmation from across our divided community.
“Since that time, not one IRA bullet has been fired and there is growing confidence in what we declared to be a fact, even by those who expressed misgivings at the time.”
Fr Reid is associated with Clonard Monastery on the Falls Road from where he forged a close relationship with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
The priest once famously recalled how an armed IRA member present for the decommissioning act handed over his assault rifle which Fr Reid said became the last weapon to be "put beyond use".
“The man handed it over and got quite emotional,” said Fr Reid. “He was aware that this was the last gun.”
Ms Lumley, the star of TV comedy 'Absolutely Fabulous' and Belfast-born actor James Ellis are also among those to be honoured by Queen’s University for services to the performing arts.
Honorary degrees will also be conferred on Man Booker prize-winning Irish novelist Anne Enright and former Queen’s Pro-Chancellors Lady McLaughlin and Dr Chris Gibson.
Also receiving honorary doctorates are Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge Professor Alison Richard, distinguished historian Professor Donald Akenson, journalist and broadcaster Professor Laurie Taylor and eminent haematologist Dr Chitra Bharucha, Vice-Chairperson of the BBC Trust.
Several business leaders feature on the roll of honour.
Honorary degrees will be awarded to philanthropist and former Chairman of investment firm Man Group Plc Harvey McGrath; Richard Lambert, Director General of the CBI; and Ray O’Rourke, Chairman of construction company Laing O’Rourke.
Computer game entrepreneur David Perry and Director General of the Science Foundation, Ireland, Dr Frank Gannon will also be honoured.
Leading Irish academics Dr Hugh Brady, President of University College Dublin, and Dr John Hegarty, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, will also receive honorary doctorates.
The week’s graduation ceremonies run from tomorrow to Friday and will be streamed live online at www.mediator.qub.ac.uk/ms/graduations/run.htm
