A Royal visit by Prince Charles to a Catholic church in a once troubled area
of Belfast is symbolic of a city “in a new era”, according to First Minister
Peter Robinson.
The Prince of Wales Friday walked through the doors of St Malachy’s Church
in the Markets to view the results of a major £3.5m restoration project.
The ceremony was one of three royal engagements on a 24-hour official visit to
the province.
Charles met representatives from parish groups, including the Society of Saint
Vincent de Paul, Saint Malachy’s Primary School, church youth leaders and
the church sacristan, and a number of parishioners.
Also among guests were Mr Robinson, Dame Mary Peters and Lord Mayor of Belfast
Pat
Convery.
The church, in Alfred Street, was destroyed by a Luftwaffe bomb in 1941, and
then rebuilt.
In 2006 the diocese of Down and Connor embarked on a major
project to restore its original features, including the external historic
church fabric.
Prince Charles also chaired a discussion to consider the role of redundant and
distressed churches and church estates in the heritage-led regeneration of
communities.
A royal visit to the nationalist Markets would have been regarded as almost
impossible 15 years ago.
Just a few streets away a plaque commemorates the spot where former IRA man
Joe McCann was shot dead.
Mr Robinson said that the arrival of Prince Charles shows “we are now in a new
era”.
“It’s not my first time in this church, but it’s probably the first time in
recent history that we have had a royal in a (Catholic) church here,” he
said.
“I think it should send out the indication that respect, understanding and
tolerance is growing in Northern Ireland, and that’s a good message.”
Alasdair McDonnell, SDLP MP for South Belfast, said the visit may not have
been possible a few years ago—but was a sign of a changing city.
“I think this is all a sign of the changing times,” he said.
“I would say that it is now easier than it was 10 years ago — it would have
been a lot more anxious a decade ago.”
Mr McDonnell added: “This church is held dear by a large number of people
across this city and the fact that Prince Charles has come to visit is a
good thing, a positive sign things have moved on in Belfast.”
Earlier the royal couple visited Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down.
Prince Charles met and chatted with the soldiers of 2nd Battalion, Mercian
Regiment who are preparing for service in Afghanistan.
He was then accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall to meet a group of soldiers
and their families.
He also presented two long service and good conduct medals to soldiers.
Later, the Duchess visited a library in Dundonald.
Camilla, the patron of the National Literacy Trust, met Paul Howard, a
children's books illustrator.
She read an extract from a storybook and distributed books to the children.