Garvaghy Road: Two Natures, One Choice – What Are We Feeding?
There is a short but powerful poem, attributed to an unknown author, which seems particularly relevant to the recent events surrounding Garvaghy Road and Drumcree.
“TWO NATURES” — Anonymous
“Two natures beat within my breast,
The one is foul, the one is blessed,
The one I love, the one I hate,
The one I feed will dominate.”
The above four simple lines contain a profound truth about human nature, personal responsibility and the choices we make. Perhaps they also offer a timely lesson for everyone involved in the continuing Garvaghy Road dispute.
For nearly thirty years, Drumcree has represented far more than a disagreement over a parade route. It has become entangled with identity, religious tradition, community rights, historical grievances and painful memories.
The recent decision by the Parades Commission to permit a restricted Orange Order parade, the opposition of local residents supported by Sinn Féin, and the subsequent intervention by the Secretary of State have demonstrated how easily old wounds can be reopened.
But beyond the legal decisions, political statements and protests lies a deeper moral question. What kind of society are we choosing to feed? Are we feeding resentment, suspicion, bitterness and the determination to defeat the other? Or are we feeding understanding, restraint, compassion, mutual respect and the courage to seek reconciliation?
The Orange tradition carries deep historical, cultural and religious significance for those who belong to it. That deserves recognition.
Equally, the people of Garvaghy Road have their own history, identity, dignity and deeply held concerns about what happens within their community. That deserves recognition too.
Recognising one does not require dismissing the other. Sinn Féin, like every political party, has a legitimate responsibility to represent its supporters. But political leadership also requires ensuring that strong convictions do not become obstacles to understanding or deepen the fears of others.
The same responsibility applies to unionist representatives and the leadership of the Orange Order. The Parades Commission faces the difficult task of balancing competing rights, responsibilities and public concerns. Its decisions may properly be supported, criticised or legally challenged.
Yet an important distinction remains: The law may determine what is permitted, but conscience must also ask what is wise, compassionate and conducive to peace.
That question applies to everyone. Surely Christian faith calls us to something better than continuing confrontation.
The Apostle Paul reminds us (in Galatians Chapter 5) of the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. Among the fruits of the Spirit are love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.
These are not simply admirable words to proclaim on a given Sunday. They must be demonstrated in our relationships with neighbours, especially those with whom we disagree. After all, if we claim to uphold Christian principles, they should be visible in how we treat others.
A Christian witness is not strengthened by provoking fear, humiliating neighbours or insisting that one community’s dignity must come at another’s expense.
Nor is lasting peace built through threats, intimidation or inflammatory language from any quarter. Peace requires more than the absence of violence. It requires the presence of mutual respect.
There is a particular responsibility upon Sinn Féin, Unionist Political Leaders, the Orange Order, the Parades Commission, Churches and Community Representatives to contribute constructively to a more peaceful society.
Words matter. Attitudes matter. The examples we set matter. Every inflammatory statement feeds something. Every gesture of understanding feeds something else and over time, what we repeatedly feed becomes stronger.
The lesson of Garvaghy Road should not be that one community must triumph over another. Neither can build a better future while remaining imprisoned within the divisions of the past. That does not mean abandoning convictions, ignoring historical wrongs or dismissing genuine fears. It means recognising that conviction without compassion can become stubbornness, tradition without sensitivity can become provocation, and rights without corresponding responsibilities can damage relationships.
There is no dishonour in listening, no disgrace in compromise and no weakness in choosing reconciliation over confrontation.
Sometimes the greatest demonstration of strength is the willingness to refrain from something because we recognise the hurt it may cause another.
Garvaghy Road presents a choice reaching far beyond Portadown. Do we genuinely want a shared future, or merely a continuation of old divisions?
The poet leaves us with a warning: “The one I feed will dominate.” That is true of individuals, political parties, institutions, churches and communities. It is true of Northern Ireland. If we continue feeding division, division will flourish. But if we nurture understanding, humility, mutual respect and reconciliation, something better may finally take root. And for those professing Christian faith, loving our neighbour was never intended to mean loving only those who share our traditions, politics or interpretation of history. It means loving our neighbour even when we disagree.
So perhaps the most important question concerning Garvaghy Road is not who will prevail. It is simply this; Which nature are we feeding? Are we feeding the divisions of yesterday, or the reconciliation that tomorrow so desperately needs?
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