ACROSS Europe, in the USA, the Middle East and in England, regressive political elements are gathering strength. In the North of Ireland we have always had to contend with these forces. And historically the right wing have played a significant role in our affairs across the island. They were well represented in the conservatism of the Catholic hierarchy, which, like its fundamentalist Protestant counterparts in the North, had a privileged position for far too long. Everyone deserves full civil and religious rights. But no religious grouping should have the state to uphold its positions.
