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A Roman Catholic school in north Belfast has presented a
reconciliation award to an Orangeman.
The Terry Donaghy/Bearnageeha Reconciliation Award was presented
this morning, April 7, by the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
to David Scott, Education Officer for the Grand Orange Lodge
of Ireland. The presentation took place, at the annual cross
community breakfast in St. Patrick's College, Bearnageeha,
on Belfast's Antrim Road.
The award is named after deceased former Bearnageeha teacher
Terry Donaghy, who later switched professions to become a
very successful Belfast solicitor.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Terry's son Leo reflected
on his dad's days in the College during the 60's and 70's.
Leo Donaghy said: "It was a period of great upheaval,
but he always had fond memories of his time spent teaching
here and he never forgot the school, its teachers and its
pupils. St Patrick's Bearnageeha always had a special place
in his heart. He taught English and R.E here and because of
his devotion to his faith, the boys nicknamed him "the
Bishop"!
"Dad always instilled in us a sense of acceptance of
others, whoever they were. In his desire to build bridges
during the darkest days of the "troubles", he was
moved, along with others, to co-found a small lobby group
known as "the Northern Consensus Group"- and we
are delighted that some other founding members are in attendance
this morning-, a group which campaigned for peace and cross
community government in Northern Ireland. As time went by,
he also felt compelled to build bridges in a tangible way
with members of other denominations in Belfast and this culminated
in him attending a rota of Protestant church services to worship
with them on a Sunday morning, having attended Mass the previous
evening.
"He always was one for reaching out to others and breaking
new ground- We know he would really approve of this event,
because it promotes peace and reconciliation. We, the family,
are sure that he would have wholeheartedly approved of the
choice of this morning's recipient of this award."
College headmaster P.J. O'Grady said: "Terry greatly
influenced the ethos of Bearnageeha when he taught here -
and that influence prevails until the present day.
"Terry was widely respected in the legal world but
he was also revered by many who recognised his unceasing endeavours
to improve the lot of his fellow man. He was a great egalitarian,
a dedicated ecumenist and a tireless campaigner for reconciliation.
"Sadly - and symbolically - Terry Donaghy passed away
two years ago on a cold January evening at the gates of the
City Hall, during a march for peace in the Middle East.
"Following his death the College and the Donaghy family
joined forces to set up the 'Terry Donaghy/Bearnageeha Reconciliation
Award'. This accolade was announced at last year's cross community
breakfast by the then Lord Mayor Naomi Long thus setting the
scene for this morning's inaugural presentation.
"There may be some 'raised eyebrows' that David Scott
is the recipient of this award. However, in the spirit of
what Terry Donaghy was about there should be no surprises!
"When it came to the quest for reconciliation Terry
believed in "pushing the boat out". And we in Bearnageeha
endeavour to do likewise - as I trust our record will confirm.
In that special symbiosis between Terry Donaghy and Bearnageeha,
the "soft option" was never an option!"
"David Scott, Education Officer of the Orange Order
has been visiting St. Patrick's College for the past seven
years. He speaks annually to sixth formers about the Orange
Order and there is always a lively, robust question and answer
session between pupils and guest speaker. Terry Donaghy was
a man who believed passionately in being pro-active about
peace and reconciliation. His family and the College believe
that he would have been proud of the award, would have endorsed
this morning's recipient and indeed the ongoing tremendous
work being done by David Scott.
"However, there is always a danger in such situations
that key issues be conveniently circumvented or glossed over,
because they are 'uncomfortable' issues.
"This is most certainly not the case when the Education
Officer of the Orange Order [and I emphasise that word "education"]
speaks to our boys.
"On the contrary, engagement is positive because it
is incisive, upfront, real and honest. It ranges from banners
to parades - and remember that a great many of our boys come
from the Crumlin Road/Ardoyne area.
"I admire David Scott's professional and open approach
with our boys and I admire the positive participation of our
Sixth Formers.
"Crucially, our boys and David come away from our annual
discussions in no way diminished as the fine people they are.
A real sense of friendship is evident and we always issue
an invitation to David to return!
"This year we are planning another significant development
by inviting some members of the local Belfast Orange Order
to visit the College and join a group of our Sixth Formers
for coffee and conversation in a spirit of friendship.
"It is my firm belief, as an educator, that such interaction
can only lead to "win-win" as regards 'mutual respect'
all round.
"When we can all enjoy the wonderful entertainment this
morning from students representing different cultures - especially
that joint rendering of Fyffe, Bodhran, Lambeg and Tin Whistle
- I go away from this morning with a profound sense of hope
because here, in the wonderful young people of the Shankill
and Falls, the New Lodge Road and the Newtownards Road lies
the future of our beloved city of Belfast."
David Scott, Education Officer of the Grand Orange Lodge
of Ireland, said he was delighted to receive the award.
"My role is to reach out and explain the values and
traditions of the Orange Institution. I talk to schools and
organisations from all sections of the community and try to
give them a better understanding of the Order. The pupils
at St. Patrick's have always shown great interest in our tradition.
They listen intently and they ask some very tough questions,
which I am happy to answer.
"If we are to have a shared future then we need to understand
each others' history, culture and traditions. We need to have
an appreciation that cultural difference is a good thing and
should be seen as providing richness in society.
"To be the first recipient of this award is an indication
of the efforts the education programme is making in society.
This acknowledgement by St. Patrick's should be a positive
message to other schools and hopefully will encourage them
to engage with us in promoting greater understanding.
"It is a great honour for the Orange Institution to
receive this award and I thank the school and the Donaghy
family for their support."
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