Park will have Act of Remembrance
REGARDING the letter from Mrs D Parker, "So sad service won't go ahead" (Your Say, October 9), I would like to point out that the service at the War Memorial in Devonport Park is going ahead but will be The Act of Remembrance, as opposed to a full church service.
Over the past few years, Friends of Devonport Park have received numerous complaints from the public on two main counts, the length of the service (sometimes over 45 minutes) and the fact that it was far too religious and therefore tended to exclude those of different faiths or indeed, of no faith at all but, who still wished to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
It transpires that in recent years, the church has been combining their usual Act of Worship with the Act of Remembrance and conducting both at the War Memorial. After discussions with the Rev Buckley, from St Michael's and, following a recent church meeting, it has been agreed that they would now hold the church service at St Michael's and then the Rev Buckley would lead the Act of Remembrance at Devonport Park's War Memorial with Rev Bridges leading the prayers.
All the traditional elements of remembrance are included but, without being visibly religious and so, hopefully, being more inclusive and allowing all to participate.
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Although Mrs Parker may well be correct in her assumption that this country is still predominantly Christian it is worth remembering that this is not necessarily applicable to all those who have died in the service of this country. Indeed there are people from many faiths who have served and died and, continue to do so, in the service of this country and they deserve to be remembered also.
MIKE GALLAGHER
Chair, Friends of Devonport Park
Comments
by BettyD
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:54AM
“Well said Mr Gallagher.”
by niugnepyzarc
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:13AM
“This was exactly the point being made in the comments page for the original letter, the service of remembrance itself has nothing what so ever to do with the church and nor should it as it is meant to be an occasion to remember the fallen not an occasion to preach the gospel of any particular religion, troops came from all religions and backgrounds, people out to pay there respects come from all religions and backgrounds, therefore it is simply not appropriate to have a christian church take over the occasion holding acts of worship, noone is stopping them from doing that of course but the time and place is there own church, not at a public memorial.
What gets me is when these people claim discrimination as the letter writer seemed to be trying to simply because they are no longer allowed to force there religion upon the public. Discrimination? no love....common sense! :)”