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Historic moment as Prince Charles visits Irish Catholic church

PATRICK COOPER,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, February 6, 2011, 8:42 AM

Updated Friday, February 11, 2011, 1:59 PM

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36 Comments

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson and Prince Charles shake hands in front of St. Malachy’s Church, a Catholic church in Belfast.

Prince Charles has visited a Catholic Church in Belfast, making it the first time a member of the Royal Family has visited one in Ireland.

He walked through the doors of St. Malachy’s Church in the strongly nationalist area of The Markets to see a $5 million restoration project. A royal visit to such an area would have been impossible just a few years ago.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson, who accompanied him, told the Belfast Telegraph that the attendance of Prince Charles shows “we are now in a new era."

“It’s not my first time in this church, but it’s probably the first time in recent history that we have had a royal in a (Catholic) church here,” he said.

“I think it should send out the indication that respect, understanding and tolerance is growing in Northern Ireland, and that’s a good message.”

Nationalist politician Alasdair McDonnell, the SDLP MP, agreed it was an historic moment.

“I think this is all a sign of the changing times,” he said.

“This church is held dear by a large number of people across this city and the fact that Prince Charles has come to visit is a good thing, a positive sign things have moved on in Belfast.”

Nster.com

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36 Comments

15 - 36 | See all comments

freekazilla | May 01, 2012, 08:27 AM EDT

. . . No, she is no rose, . . . . . . . Nor a flower made of brass, . . . . . No, she is no classless lass, . . . . . No albino gorilla, . . . . . . . . But a Royal Camilla. . . .

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devlenboy | Apr 02, 2011, 06:23 PM EDT

THE COMMENTS REFLECT HOW THE IRISH WHO FIRST CAME TO AMERICA WERE TREATED BY AMERICANS-MUCH THE SAME WHEN THE PRINCE WENT INTO THE (ROMAN)CATHOLIC CHURCH).wAKE UP IRELAND AND GET EDUCATED!

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barneyjo | Mar 04, 2011, 07:05 PM EST

I am really at a loss to understand the level of fixation that some posters on IC have with both "Queens" and "Gays" I'd love to know how they "DISCRIMINATE" between the two"

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sirpeter | Feb 08, 2011, 02:08 PM EST

ancavker..It's their Royalty..Nothing to do with Ireland..I forgot about the Famine Memorial though and they not turning up,as McNamara31 pointed out. Now I feel sick again about the Queens visit, after me convincing myself some good might come of it.The Royals don't have any respect for Irish Nationalism do they,and all they put us through. They are the ultimate creatin's.They take and demand the ultimate loyalty and respect,but they don't feel they have to reciprocate.That is British Royalty isn't it. Sickening!!

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ancavker | Feb 08, 2011, 01:44 PM EST

Canadian pat: I forgot about the bicycle seat!!! I had a good laugh with that!!! Can the queen skip Charles and appoint or anoint or whatever they call it Charles's oldest son?

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ancavker | Feb 08, 2011, 01:41 PM EST

Dan Not disagreeing with you but I really do think that the ira in the 1930's sympathized with or supported Germany simply because England's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity.

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ancavker | Feb 08, 2011, 01:38 PM EST

sirpeter: I can agree that they do alto of things that one can laughter at,and they take themselves way too seriously. As I have said the whole royalty thing is repugnant to me in this day and age, whether it be British royalty or any other royalty. That being said if the English wish to maintain this, then that is their choice. One could argue that is all they have left; that and mindless reality TV, oh and of course football hooligans.

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McNamara31 | Feb 08, 2011, 12:50 PM EST

In 2011, a visit from Charles or his mother is pretty worthless. Remember, niether one of them took the time to attend this past years Famine Memorial.

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CitizenWhy | Feb 08, 2011, 08:04 AM EST

Monsieur Charles Windsor (aka Prince charles) has stated that he would like to change his to-be-inherited title of Defender of the Faith (Church of England, but the title was granted by the Pope) to Defender of the Faiths (all of them, including Islam, found in the UK). So why wouldn't he enter a Catholic Church?

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sirpeter | Feb 07, 2011, 08:03 PM EST

oldboreen..Guess you didn't like my song either at Feb 07, 2011, 12:53 PM EST.Oldbor yourself..I,m well aware of the budding new friendship springing afresh between our two countries. I don't mind telling you it makes me nervous.See over the last 10 years the Irish people were told to snuggle closer to Europe (ie Euro,Lisbon Treaty 1&2 ect)The timely on going battering of the Catholic Church, The economic treasonous behavior of my government and now the Queen is been invited over. This new snuggling up closer to England has me thinking a bit..Like what exactly is behind it. See I don't trust my government,I don't trust Europe and as seamus macmanus once said.."There are three things to be aware of: the hoof of a horse, the horn of a bull, and the smile of an Englishman."

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sirpeter | Feb 07, 2011, 07:29 PM EST

ancavker...I'm allowed to have a bit of fun aren't I? At the Royals expense..You should try and see a bit of humour in certain posts sometime..I think you should know by now, which of my posts are a bit of fun and the posts that are not.I like making fun of the Royals.I never said it was bad he was visiting a Catholic Church,I think it's a good thing. Did you not like my rebel song at Feb 07, 2011, 12:53 PM EST? You can be serious on every post if you want or take everything serious. Apart from the seriousness they represent. They do alot of things that can be laughed at.

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sirpeter | Feb 07, 2011, 07:07 PM EST

CanadianPat..I think he said to Carmilla ...he wanted to be her tampon..ha ha

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DanOLoingsigh | Feb 07, 2011, 06:31 PM EST

Prince Charles FORMER unofficial Irish spokesman refused to comment on reports that he has been invited to a Royal Wedding in April, or on any other delicate matter.

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CanadianPat | Feb 07, 2011, 06:20 PM EST

Dan,I can see why you want to defend the man. Who could not ,the man that aspired to be a woman's bicycle seat, who talks to plants, cheated on his wife etc.etc.Sure he and his whole family are fine examples for us all. You should be proud!

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DanOLoingsigh | Feb 07, 2011, 05:58 PM EST

Ancavker – I agree that there were Hitler fans in England; my post was a response to a previous poster which raised the matter as a stick to beat the Windsors with, to balance that comment. Churchill was warning about Hitler even before he came to power, so I would not include him in that group. Brian Hanley, in his book ‘IRA – A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY 1916-2005’ quotes IRA internee Sean Mulready on the reaction of fellow Curragh IRA internees on the news of the fall of France – ‘The prisoners …sheer delirious joy that the Germans had defeated...the cradle of modern militant republicanism’. Anyway I think I need to resign my post as an unpaid spokesman for Charles and Co.

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