STEPPING BACK IN TIME: Bishop outlines the way forward to lasting peace

The newly-enthroned Bishop of Connor, the Right Reverend William McCappin, said that it was his devout prayer was the end “the troubles” during his period as bishop.
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In his address at his enthronement service at Lisburn Cathedral in January 1982, Bishop McCappin said Irish men and women hung their heads in shame because of the dreadful tale of violence and counter-violence.

“My predecessor, Bishop Arthur Butler, came to the Diocese of Connor in 1969. We are grateful for his outstanding leadership during his episcopate in Connor – but he never knew the diocese in peace,” he said.

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“My devout prayer is that through the mercy of God there will be an end to ‘the troubles’ during my term as bishop. I am not without hope. I have great respect an hope and faith in the middle ground.”

Clergy at the enthronement of the Bishop of Connor, the Right Reverend William McCappin, at Cathedral of Christ Church, Lisburn, in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archivesClergy at the enthronement of the Bishop of Connor, the Right Reverend William McCappin, at Cathedral of Christ Church, Lisburn, in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archives
Clergy at the enthronement of the Bishop of Connor, the Right Reverend William McCappin, at Cathedral of Christ Church, Lisburn, in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archives

Bishop McCappin pointed out that 90 per cent of people in Ulster wanted nothing better than to live their lives in peace and security.

“They are heartily sick of the extremists and diehards of all kinds – of violence, intimidation and punishment shootings – of the intransigence and inflexibility from wherever it may come,” he said.

“They are the people who in the critical third week in November – a week before my consecration as bishop turned away from the path to anarchy and civil war.

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“They knew that their future lay in peace which can only come through tolerance, understanding and reconciliation. Let each of us in our own lives work and party for that peace.”

The Bishop of Connor,  the Right Reverend William McCappin, seeking admission to the cathedral in Lisburn in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archivesThe Bishop of Connor,  the Right Reverend William McCappin, seeking admission to the cathedral in Lisburn in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archives
The Bishop of Connor, the Right Reverend William McCappin, seeking admission to the cathedral in Lisburn in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archives

The bishop also pointed out that if peace was regained there would still be many other problems to face. One of the toughest would be unemployment he said.

“We may find in the long run that the problems of the economy are more intractable than the problems of politics,” he warned.

Bishop McCappin said the churches were facing problems as well.

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“For our own church there will be the problems of redundant churches in the urban area of Belfast, and of once thriving churches which have been left behind in the great shifts of population brought about by communal strife.

The Bishop of Connor,  the Right Reverend William McCappin, in procession with his chaplain the Reverend Harden Johnston at the enthronement in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archivesThe Bishop of Connor,  the Right Reverend William McCappin, in procession with his chaplain the Reverend Harden Johnston at the enthronement in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archives
The Bishop of Connor, the Right Reverend William McCappin, in procession with his chaplain the Reverend Harden Johnston at the enthronement in January 1982. Pictures: News Letter archives

“Another problem will be the shortage of clerical manpower, the reality of which is beginning to filter through to parish level.”

He also warned that before long there could be a shortage of clergy to serve as rectors of parishes.

“But more fundamental than any of these problems is our need for renewal in the faith once delivered to the saints.

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“In good courage let us go forward with Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and today and for ever,” he said.

The enthronement ceremony was performed by the Archdeacon of Connor, the Venerable Clayton Stevenson.