In July, 2005, Martin McGuinness, Chief Negotiator for Sinn F'ein, announced in Washington, D.C. the IRA's decision to end its armed campaign in Ulster and to recognize the need for momentum to be maintained. The MacDonnell Of Leinster Association endorsed this statement without qualification, or reference to any past events, either on the part of Sinn F'ein, or of the Orange Order. Let's move forward.

        One issue that must be addressed is the need for assurances of security, now and in the future, for all parties. All are aware that Irish Protestants are afraid that if British troops are withdrawn from Ulster, they will be persecuted, as Irish Catholics were in the past, while no Irish Catholic can see a British Tommy without fear of being shot. One way for Protestants to insure the remaining presence of British troops is to see that the violence continues, hence the Orange parades in Catholic areas. Sensible Britons would also like to escape this morass that they created for themselves, over 400 years ago, in the reign of Elizabeth I. Ulster as a symbol of empire has long since become a liability that Britain can ill afford. To change the situation, the Good Friday Agreement needs support and endorsement from objective, outside parties who are capable of enforcing the peace, and who have a natural interest in the outcome, but who are not tainted by suspicion of bad faith. No sectarian or imperial strategies can be tolerated at the expense of peace and justice.

        There are better minds than ours to work out the procedures, but it is high time that "The Good Work" finally actually became God's Work, and that all the people of Ulster, of whatever Faith or clan, are allowed to live in peace and freedom. But on September 10, 2005, and again on September 11, the Orange Order, blocked by British troops from marching in Catholic areas of Belfast, rioted once again and pictures of burning buildings and cars in Belfast again appeared on television screens around the world, in the same telecast where Pope Benedict XVI, prayed for peace and justice for victims of terrorism. Protestants not from Ulster must wonder why anyone would want to celebrate William of Orange's evil acts of tyranny and oppression. But, starting at about 4 p.m. local time on Monday, September 12, thousands of Protestant men, women and children sat down on the main highway running through Belfast and scores of other roads and intersections around the city. Many Belfast shops and businesses closed early out of fear that the illegal blockades would again degenerate into violent attacks on police, as happened Saturday and Sunday. It is difficult for anyone to imagine the fear and ignorance that inspired these irrational acts.

                In this instance, Catholics, the British Government and Sinn F'ein have taken the moral high ground, while Ulster Protestants have ignored morality in seeking to protect what they consider to be their property and political rights. Why can they not understand that they risked being labeled as the advocates of evil in world opinion, at a time when they needed all the friends they could get? The contest should be about who can best project Christian values, not about who won a battle 314 years ago. Protestant Ulstermen should think of their children's future. What else matters?

        The fanatic advocates of violence should know that they can not and will not prevail, in Ulster or anywhere else in the world. The solution to their resentment and fears lies in reconciliation, compassion, tolerance and mutual respect. Hatred, vengeance and arrogant self promotion will ultimately be rejected by the vast majority, for no matter what justification for violence is put forward, Love, not hate, is the greatest value of mankind and you will be judged favorably by God and by your peers for what you give, not for what you take. Ruthless politicians, greedy corporate executives and other celebrities must also realize that their obscene wealth and power are without value if civil society and the rule of law collapse.

        We called upon the leaders of all Christian denominations to finally come forward and to fulfill their commission from God. It is time for Protestant Church officers to truly submit to the Will of God and lead their flocks toward peace, rather than submitting to the will of their violent parishioners, as they have been doing. We cited 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13. At the same time, we entreated Sinn F'ein and Catholic leaders to provide assurances to Protestants of their own continuing commitment to peace and justice. It is time to end this.

        Then the Associated Press reported on September 26, 2005 that Sinn F'ein has disarmed, turning over to the International Decommissioning Body, headed by retired Canadian General John De Chastelain, more than 100 tons of weapons, including machine guns, surface to air missiles and semtex. Glory be to God! We believe that, with this act, confirmed by both a Catholic and a Methodist cleric, who had the courage to provide the leadership needed, the IRA has done almost all they can do. They and all Catholic Ulstermen may now only practice their Faith, with compassion and respect, reaching out where they can to demonstrate good will and forgiveness as Christians should do.

        Complaints by Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionist Party, demanding pictures and further information as proof are unreasonable. Men of good will should not ask the IRA to give up information that would render their members, now disarmed, subject to reprisal and persecution by Protestant militants. To question the integrity or competence of a great Canadian general, and of two respected clerics, can only be seen as petty, mean spirited and disingenuous. Rather, Ulster Protestants are now required to match or surpass the peace overture of their Catholic neighbors. Failure to do so will discredit them throughout the world.

        As a footnote, we would challenge Ian Paisley's claim to represent the majority. It is probably true that a small majority of Ulstermen are Protestant. But, after interviewing literally dozens of Ulster Protestants, we are sure that the vast majority of Protestant Ulstermen want peace, and they want it now!