A television documentary to be screened tonight will tell the story surrounding Derry First Presbyterian Minister David Latimer’s historic address at the Sinn Fein annual conference two years.
Rev Latimer and Martin McGuinness embrace at the 2011 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis.
In his speech at the 2011 ard fheis held in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall – the first time the event had been held in the North – the Rev Latimer referred to Martin McGuinness as “one of the great leaders of modern times.”
“Bright Brand New Day” – to be screened on BBC One Northern Ireland at 10.35pm – will tell the story of Rev Latimer’s attendance at the event which came about following an invitation from the Sinn Fein leadership.
Addressing delegates, the Rev Latimer said differing religious and political beliefs should no longer be a source of suspicion.
He said: “Martin, you and I have been journeying together for the last five years, and in that time we have become very firm friends able to relax in each other’s company,” said the First Derry Presbyterian clergyman.
“While our interaction might understandably raise eyebrows amongst some within our communities, the reality is you and I regard ourselves to be brothers within the same human frailty.
“Your invitation to me is forward looking and timely – is it possible that the Democratic Unionists could see their way to invite a Catholic priest to address their party conference this year or next?”
Mr McGuinness described Rev Latimer’s decision to accept the invitation as “courageous.”
However, the DUP MP for East Derry, Gregory Campbell, criticised Rev Latimer’s decision to become the first locally-based Protestant minister to address the ard fheis.
He was also described as a “latter day Lundy” by Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice.
Rev Latimer, of First Derry and Claremont Presbyterian Church, and Mr McGuinness had built up their friendship over a number of years.
The Deputy First Minister was involved in securing Executive funding for the restoration of the historic First Derry church building on Magazine Street and was among the guests at the recent gala re-opening of the church.
As well as his work at First Derry Church, Rev Latimer has also served as a chaplain in the British military’s Territorial Army and travelled with his regiment to Afghanistan several years ago.
He also visited the Bloody Sunday monument on Rossville Street on the day after the publication of the Saville report alongside Methodist, Church of Ireland, and Catholic clergymen to meet with relatives of those killed and wounded in the 1972 atrocity.
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