NI Conservatives’ co-chair, Trevor Ringland, has accused Jim Rodgers of “dinosaur type thinking”, after the UUP councillor said the Pope shouldn’t be invited to Belfast because it could cause public unrest.
“The Ulster Unionist leadership has distanced itself from Mr Rodgers comments, but Mike Nesbitt has to be concerned that such dinosaur type thinking still exists within his party”, Trevor commented. “Such attitudes have to be challenged, because they tarnish our image. As NI Conservatives we believe that respect for all faiths is a key principle in the United Kingdom. A visit from the Pope would mean an enormous amount to Catholics in Northern Ireland and it would be extremely welcome.”
“The reaction from Councillor Rodgers is the worst type of unconstructive, old-fashioned, knee jerk politics, which has never done any good for the pro-Union argument. Pope Francis has been a fine ambassador for the Catholic Church and it would be entirely appropriate for him to visit Belfast. Indeed it would be an important boost for the city. We have to let go of the attitudes which disfigured our past. It’s a pity that all local political representatives couldn’t get behind the invitation.”