Hatred & Fear by Joe McVeigh

Franciscan priest and writer, Fr Richard Rohr wrote an article some time ago about fear being at the root of hatred. This article prompted me to think about the hatred that I have witnessed here in the north of Ireland over many years. It is a one-sided hatred. It is akin to racism and bigotry in the USA which looks down upon the African-American section of the community and treats them as second-class citizens.

 In the Six Counties, it is more like a communal hatred based on distorted religious and political beliefs. It is a hatred that has grown through the centuries based on fear that many Protestants have of their Catholic neighbours. The deep fear comes from the fact that their ancestors were sent over to the north-east of Ireland and given land free gratis and for nothing. These ‘planters’ are afraid of losing the land and privileged position that they were given by the English rulers in order to maintain control of Ireland.  They are deeply insecure because of this historical experience. Their fears have been nurtured by individuals and groups over many years in order to maintain the privileged position of one section of the community.

This fear and hatred of Catholics and the Catholic Church has been fomented since 1795 by the Orange Order. The fear of the Catholic church and Catholic priests was instilled in Protestants who belonged to the Orange Order. 

Not all Protestants hate Catholics but most-especially those who belonged to the Orange Order – were brought up to be suspicious of Catholics and fearful that they would want to take over their land and that the Catholic Church would want to take over. 

After Partition in 1920-21, the police (RUC) and the B-men/UDR, almost entirely from the Protestant/Orange/Unionist  community, were formed to monitor the Catholic community and report any signs of dissension or rebellion. As a result many in the Protestant community did not trust Catholics and especially Catholic priests. There have been many cases of Catholic priests being subjected to sectarian abuse.

As a Catholic priest for more than 50 years, I have seen and felt the hatred of some from the Protestant community towards me. I have read hate-filled letters mostly anonymous sent to me from Protestants. I have seen hatred in the faces of some Protestants–mostly from those indoctrinated by Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church. 

Many years ago in the mid-1970s I met with Loyalist leaders in Belfast to discuss a peaceful way forward but I did not feel the hatred that I felt from some Protestants and most members of the police and UDR here in Fermanagh.

I have experienced the hatred of a few Protestants when the windows of my house were smashed on Remembrance Sunday in 2016. Many Protestants showed solidarity with me and privately condemned this attack. Local Protestant clergy came to visit to show their solidarity and disgust with what was done against me.

I have received many abusive anonymous letters from Protestants in the post.  I have read letters in the local pro-Unionist paper and in the Belfast Telegraph. I read an article by Ruth Dudley Edwards in that paper saying that ‘this country would be better off without me’.

I can only conclude that there are some very sad and angry people who have  a prejudiced view of Catholic priests and a distorted notion of what Catholicism is about. They do not seem to understand that the Gospel of Jesus calls us to speak out against injustice and bigotry. 

A few years ago, a local woman living near me in Fermanagh received a phone call which was intended for me by mistake from a well-known Irish singer who lives in county Monaghan. When the caller asked to speak to me the Orange woman replied that “he is now busy buggering a child.” Fortunately, I was able to find out the identity of the woman who received this phone call. I reported the matter to the police (PSNI) and asked the police (PSNI) to investigate this matter. They replied that when they spoke to her she denied ever saying this. The PSNI said that they could do nothing more about it.

I believe that the sad people who indulge in this hatred and allow it to continue are the products of British colonial rule. They have been used and abused by the British and their allies in the Orange Order for many years. 

I have met many decent Protestant people in Fermanagh who have shown the utmost respect towards me. Most of the Protestant clergy are friendly and supportive.

I have also received great respect from very many Protestants over the years. Indeed, when I was ordained a priest in 1971 some Protestants came to me for a blessing. I will always treasure that memory.

As in the case of individual relationships, the hatred of some Protestants for Catholics comes down to fear -fear of losing their privileged position and therefore their Protestant identity. 

I think this situation will only be changed when there is a New Ireland and when there is a new Constitution which guarantees every citizen equal rights and equal respect.