This was the consensus that resulted from Cardinal Sean Brady's first ever visit to St. Columb's Cathedral yesterday where he met Bishop Ken Good and Cathedral Dean William Morton.

The visit was part of Cardinal Brady's first official visit to the city since his elevation to the College of Cardinals.

Bishop Good told the Cardinal that the continued 'exodus' of Protestants from the West Bank was borne out of fear.

"At the root of fear is a lack of trust, he said. "It is about building trust and this does not happen instantly. If Protestants are to come back then they will be asking: 'can I trust that my children will be content here? Will they be safe? Will my house be secure?'

"These are fears. Some may be irrational. Some may be exaggerated but they are real and we need to work carefully and sensitively with these fears. There have been good reasons why people have been fearful in the past and over time we want to see these fears eased.

"Bishop Hegarty and the Roman Catholic community are being helpful here also. I think a lot of people want to see this redressed and want to encourage people back. "

Cardinal Brady said that a "concerted effort" by all sides of the community was needed to encourage Protestants back to the West Bank.

Saddened

"I am saddened that there has been an exodus of Protestants from the West Bank and I hope that the efforts to stem this 'exodus' will be successful", he said. "We need a concerted effort on all sides to ensure that this will take place. It is based on fears and insecurities and I hope that measures will be taken to address these.

"One great way for people to remove fear is to sit down and talk and articulate their problems. We all have the same needs. We all need to feel secure and respected and be allowed to live our lives in harmony."

Cathedral Dean William Morton agreed that a return of Protestants to the Cityside was "achievable".

"Occasionally I hear people say they never go back to the West Bank or the old city, which is very sad. I know a number of my congregation feel that this side of the city is their home. It is where they grew up and where they feel they belong. They may be living in the Waterside but all that is dear to them is rooted here. But, as long as there is paint and petrol bombings, people will not be encouraged to come back.

"I think before people will come back there has to be an acceptance of people in our society whose way of life and worship is different to what is the majority. But, in the course of time, I think it will be achievable. We are probably not talking about this year or next year. I think we will have to reap the benefits of stable government and stable harmonious community life before it will happen."