A special Service of Christian Unity was held in St. Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry, last Friday remembering 1972, which is considered the worst year of the The Troubles from a loss of life perspective.

South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) facilitated the bringing together of victims and survivors from across the community who have been impacted by terrorism and other Troubles-related criminal violence 50 years ago this year.

SEFF’s Director of Services, Kenny Donaldson, said: “We face into 30 years of 50th anniversaries in the context of the events of the terrorist campaign, The Troubles, and as an organisation we felt it was important to offer leadership around these issues.

“Assembled within the cathedral on Friday night were innocents impacted by both Republican and Loyalist terror from across these islands.

“Others opted out from attending, and that is deeply regrettable. We hope that a time may come when they will be willing to engage in wider communal remembrance, understanding the need to express solidarity with the loss and injustice experienced by their own neighbours.

“1972 was a truly brutal year, with almost 500 deaths, and with more than 4,000 injured, many of those impacted feel marginalised and that somehow their loved ones have been forgotten, they have not felt acknowledged.

“Friday night went some way to redressing this.”

Thanking those involved, Mr. Donaldson said: “SEFF wishes to acknowledge the courageous victims and survivors who not only attended the service, but who also participated in events.

“We also thank all connected with St. Columb’s Cathedral, including Bishop Andrew Forster, for facilitating a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for lives well lived, however short they were cut.”

One of those who read a prayer was Richard Bell, who is a survivor of an assassination bid upon him, his father and brother, Robin, which resulted in the murder of his brother, Pte Robin Bell, an off-duty UDR soldier in Newtownbutler.

Mr. Bell said: “The service was deeply important for my family. I felt that the experiences of our family and so many others were validated.

“There was a lot of pain and unresolved injustice in that church building, but the service was also uplifting, and there was a real sense of hope that ran through proceedings.

“It is important for my family that the churches walk with us, and beside us.”

Concluding, Mr. Donaldson said:”SEFF will continue to push ahead with facilitating opportunities or innocents to join together across faith and political boundaries.

“Let us forever remember that denominational religion and politics has the potential to divide, but it is our values that unite us.”