`Reconciliation the key to overcoming tragedy'

by Mark Bowles and Angus Macdonald HEADS of State and Royalty joined hundreds of ordinary mourners in Warrington this week to hear Archbishop Derek Worlock of Liverpool appeal for a spirit of reconciliation in the face of the "senseless brutality" which cost two children their lives.
Thousands of viewers and listeners throughout the country heard the archbishop, his voice still quiet after his illness, call on more than 1,000 mourners packed into the church of St Elphin to avoid dwelling yet again on what he called "this hateful act of terrorism" the murder last month of three-year-old Johnathan Ball and 12-year-old Timothy Parry in an IRA bomb attack.
Instead, the archbishop commended the spirit of the people of Warrington, "the shared sorrow and sympathetic solidarity which mark the family and community life of this part of the country".
Archbishop Worlock invoked the determination and solidarity of the Dublin and London peace rallies and reminded his audience of the hope of bereaved father Colin Parry that his son's death might stand as some "symbol of peace".
These examples, he suggested, brought to mind the Christian concept of "reconciliation", a word which means "making friends again where there has been hostility... It calls for perseverance, sensitivity and trust... it is the only true way to peace and understanding".
The special "service of remembrance, reconciliation and commitment" was attended by Prince Philip, representing the Queen, Prime Minister John Major, and Irish President Mrs Mary Robinson.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Habgood, gave the blessing, and Merseyside Free Church Moderator, Dr John Newton, led the Act of Remembrance A message from President Bill Clinton, strongly condemning violence, was read out by the Rector of St Elphin's, Canon Joe Coiling. Earlier in the afternoon, more than 500 people gathered in Bridge St in the town, scene of the Mothers' Day devastation. Ministers from the Warrington town centre churches led a service of remembrance, prior to the removal of the multitude of flowers which had been laid on at the spot where one of the boys died.
Warrington Methodist minister Rev Stephen Kingsworth told mourners: "Peace would be a miracle, but Easter is, after all, about miracles".
The service came amidst efforts on both sides of the Irish Sea to convert the widespread public mood for peace into political progress so far with little sign of success. Prime Minister John Major
attended the service after a 24-hour visit to Northern Ireland. where he said he intended to put forward specific proposals for political reform.
Meanwhile, Irish Senator Gordon Wilson, whose daughter was killed in the Poppy Day bombing at Enniskillen in 1983, said he was disappointed by a meeting with IRA representatives in Northern Ireland. "Nothing that I said in any way moved them," he admitted.
SDLP leader John Hume also met with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams this week. But the IRA said in a statement after the meeting that "armed resistance" would continue.
"Everybody bleeds and everybody