Relations between Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland have worsened over the past five years, and tensions threaten to undermine regeneration work unless they are addressed.
A study by the University of Ulster has found a hardening of attitudes by the two communities towards living and working together. Fewer people thought that relations between Protestants and Catholics had improved.

In 1996, 44% of Protestants and 47% of Catholics thought inter-community relations were better than five years earlier. But these totals have slumped to 25% and 33% respectively.

Growing tension between the two religious groups is likely to hamper community development and neighbourhood regeneration in Northern Ireland. Nearly 95% of the 1800 Protestants and Catholics interviewed believed Catholics were treated better than or the same as five years ago, whereas only 73% thought Protestants were treated better or the same.

And 39% of Protestants thought they were treated worse now than five years ago, compared with the 4% of Catholics who believed they were treated worse.

The report's authors said: "The challenge to all those involved in community relations at government, voluntary and community level is to explore the factors contributing to recent negative trends and to identify strategies that might address both communities."

Source

Housing Today