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The Prince of Wales\u2019s visit to Northern Ireland sends a clear message to dissident republicans that the North wants to move on, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland said.<\/p>\nThe Prince of Wales\u2019s visit to Northern Ireland sends a clear message to dissident republicans that the North wants to move on, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland said.<\/p>\n
Primate Eamon Martin joined Church of Ireland counterpart Richard Clarke in hosting Charles during a trip to the ecclesiastical capital of Armagh as part of a British royal tour straddling both sides of the Irish border.<\/p>\n
Last month, renegade group the New IRA shot journalist Lyra McKee dead during disturbances in Derry when rioters were attacking police.<\/p>\n
Today, Charles was serenaded with words of welcome and traditional music from schoolchildren as he met groups inside St Patrick\u2019s Catholic Cathedral.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Martin said: \u201cI think today\u2019s visit lets people know that there are many people in the community, there are many people in this society, who want to move on and who want to continue to build bridges for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Primate has spoken out strongly against dissident republicans who continue to target police more than two decades after the Good Friday Agreement.<\/p>\n
The archbishop said: \u201cThere are some people here who would drag us back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are trying to model something here, Archbishop Richard and I, and say to people, look, you have permission, we have also just last week been with our political leaders and have given them the same message, that the community wants you to take risks for reconciliation and peace and if you do take difficult steps then we will be behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Power-sharing at Stormont has been suspended for more than two years.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Martin said: \u201cRisk is about stepping out and leadership, and every time we have done it people have come with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may have a few people who disagree but ultimately someone has to lead forward and that is the message that we have been giving to our political leaders, to show leadership, courageous and compassionate leadership for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UK’s Prince of Wales met pupils at St Patrick\u2019s Grammar School beside the cathedral who are taking part in a program run by his charity The Prince\u2019s Trust.<\/p>\n
The group of pupils have all taken part in the Achieve program, which is a personal development course for 11 to 19-year-olds.<\/p>\n
The program provides a practical approach to learning and supports young people to build their confidence and fulfil their potential.<\/p>\n
Pupil Josh McCausland said: \u201cI love everything about the Achieve program, you get to go outside and it\u2019s less formal than the other classes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love how welcoming it is and it has helped me interact with other people. It\u2019s the best GCSE choice I made.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark Dougan, Northern Ireland director at The Prince\u2019s Trust, said it was an honor to welcome the organization\u2019s president.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud of their achievements and of the thousands of young people that The Prince\u2019s Trust has supported throughout Northern Ireland over the past year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough partnering with local schools like St Patrick\u2019s Grammar School, we look forward to helping many more young people to unleash their talent and reach their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n