‘A day for reflection’

I WAS obliged to be in the town centre on Saturday because of very serious duties I had to attend to, but I was quite shocked and appalled - no, unfortunately I really don’t think those terms are exaggerated - to find that a street party (I now know it was officially called ‘Easter Fun Day’) was in progress.

The activities were varied and might well have been a welcome Saturday distraction for shoppers on another occasion, but this was Easter time, with the day before (Good Friday) having marked the death of Christ as a period of deep sorrow.

The street band in particular was the most offensive of the lot, playing very loud fun music from which there was no escape anywhere in Bow Street. Who organised this? Who gave it the green light to go ahead? I’m quite sure I represent a great many people who expect Easter Saturday to be the traditional time of sombre reflection on the injustice and harm that human beings can inflict on one another. One doesn’t have to be a dogmatic Christian to value this time of year for the message of outrage and sadness it brings. Celebration begins on Easter Day itself. The traditional way of marking Easter Saturday is with quiet reflection, or for Christians in contemplation of the crucifixion of Christ. I don’t expect the city to turn out the lights or close the shops on this day, but a quiet respect is surely in order. Or have I got it all wrong? Is Lisburn now officially a post-Christian or anti-Christian society? If so, when did that happen? If not, then surely an apology is due to the whole community as well as an assurance that this will not be repeated. The ‘Fun Day’ at Easter has always been the Monday. I’d like to think that it will remain so.

DWJ Vincent (Dr)