An initiative aimed at resolving the crisis over access to a Catholic school in North Belfast has been agreed. The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, and the Stormont Executive have agreed the initiative.
The proposals, which will involve mediation, are aimed at tackling concerns about housing, health and sectarianism in the north of the city. The initiative follows five days of protests by Loyalists who object to Catholic parents and their schoolchildren passing through their area on their way to Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne.
Meanwhile, Protestant residents from the Glenbryn area of the city are to meet Dr Reid this evening in an effort to find a solution to the ongoing situation in Ardoyne. Last night, Dr Reid had a similar meeting with representatives of the Board of Governors of the school.
Today, Catholic children and their parents faced silent Loyalist protests, both on their way to the school this morning and again when they left this afternoon. There were no reports of any incidents.
The schoolgirls made their way up Ardoyne Road and in to the school in silence. The protesters turned their backs as the schoolgirls and their parents passed by.
Fr Aidan Troy, who led the schoolgirls, said that they had walked to school in silence as a gesture of sympathy to the family of the Protestant teenager who was killed earlier this week.
Thomas McDonald died after being knocked down in a hit-and-run incident. His funeral was held in the White City area of Belfast this morning.
A 32-year-old woman has been charged with his murder. This morning, the Loyalist protesters had appealed to the parents of the schoolchildren to use the rear exit on the Crumlin Road.
Meanwhile, US President George W Bush is to send his special envoy to the North in a bid to aid the peace process. In a further development, Pope John Paul II has joined calls for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. The Pope called on both sides in the dispute to show goodwill towards one another.
He said that a culture of mutual openness and acceptance must be fostered and reminded both Protestants and Catholics that peace is a fragile reality that needs to be nurtured.
