St. Patrick's Wish

Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, is associated in the minds of Americans with parades of Hibernian pipers along green-painted streets, a hearty consumption of Guinness, and an inescapable avalanche of shamrocks, leprechauns, and green plastic bowler hats.

In Ireland, St. Patrick is remembered for establishing Christianity there in the fifth century - the same Christianity that divides the North and has caused sectarian violence between Catholics and Protestants for decades.

Now, just when it looked as if as a peace process for that beleaguered province stood a chance, violence has broken out anew, causing Sinn Fein to be banned from the talks and hope for peace to fade.

It is said that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. The best wish that could be made on his day is that violence and religious bigotry can also be banished, and a lasting peaceful resolution found.