The SDLP’s Pat Convery, who was at the event, said the decision didn’t go unnoticed by guests on Saturday night. “But at the end of the day, it was her night and you can’t force anyone to say grace if they don’t want to.” “Saying grace at the installation is a tradition and unionists have a very pro-grace attitude,” she said. Mr Haire’s DUP colleague Aileen Graham said that, ultimately, it was up to the Lord Mayor whether to say grace or not. “It was obvious, however, that some tables were waiting before starting dinner because they were expecting prayers as is the normal tradition.” “Our table did its own thing we invited Rev McNeely to say grace so we weren’t put out in any shape or form,” he said. “Grace has always been said, even by Lord Mayors who wouldn’t darken the doors of a church or chapel.”īelfast High Sheriff Tom Haire said that while some guests were annoyed at the absence of grace, his table didn’t miss out, thanks to his neighbour Rev McNeely. “There is no doubting that this is an extremely delicate matter,” said the insider. A City Hall source told the Belfast Telegraph that the decision had caused widespread anger among members across parties and had cast a shadow over the night. The minister added that he will be contacting the Alliance Party to express his “extreme displeasure” at the Lord Mayor’s actions. “If she didn’t want to say grace then she should have arranged for someone else to do it or called upon a member of the clergy to offer a simple word of prayer.” “I’m very annoyed at this very sad state of affairs it’s a further indication of the erosion of the Christian heritage upon which this country was founded indeed, it shows how far we’ve departed from our Christian heritage when we can’t even offer a simple thanks for food,” said Rev McLaughlin. Saying grace at the Lord Mayor’s installation dinner is something that has been done by way of custom for the last 25 years. He added: “I understand why people feel disappointment that there was no grace said as part of the proceedings on Saturday but we as ministers recognise it’s the prerogative of the host.”įree Presbyterian minister Rev David McLaughlin said Ms McAllister’s decision to scrap grace was a “glaring omission”. Rev McNeely said he believed “it’s a good thing to give grace before dinner” to “give God thanks for his goodness towards us and for the nourishment of each day”, especially at such a high-profile, public event. I don’t know why that didn’t happen but maybe it is a sign of the times.” “I’m sure Dr Laurence Graham (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland) or myself would have been prepared to say grace but that wasn’t requested. Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening, with our free daily newsletter.Įnter email address This field is required Sign Up “There was no grace on the programme and the Master of Ceremonies didn’t call anyone to lead the gathering in grace,” he said.ĭaily Headlines & Evening Telegraph Newsletter The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Noble McNeely, who attended the event for the first time, said he led prayers at his table when it became apparent that it wasn’t on the agenda for the evening. The Alliance Party councillor - who outlined her plan to “promote a Belfast that is open, welcome and inclusive” - was not available for comment when contacted by the Belfast Telegraph last night. Instead, in some cases it fell upon leading clerics to offer up grace for guests at their individual tables ahead of the lavish four-course meal in the building’s ornate Great Hall. It is understood she felt some people attending the dinner who are not religious may have been uncomfortable with praying, but others have voiced firm opposition to her decision not to respect the decades-old convention. Nuala McAllister, an atheist, didn’t invite anyone to say grace at the event on Saturday night in what has been described as an unwelcome departure from tradition. A row has erupted at City Hall after Belfast’s new Lord Mayor dispensed with prayers before her installation dinner.
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