ONE of Ireland’s foremost Presbyterian clerics will be in Letterkenny this Sunday with his new book which charts his friendship with the late Martin McGuinness.
Rev David Latimer’s book, A Leap of Faith, details the camaraderie that sprung up between the former IRA commander and himself and how their relationship helped shaped the peace process.
Rev Latimer has been minister at First Derry Presbyterian Church since 1988, having previously served as an army chaplain in Afghanistan.
It was following another paint bomb attack on his church in Derry in the spring of 2006 that the clergyman decided to reach out to Martin McGuinness.
Fed up with the constant barrage of abuse, he took to the airwaves of Radio Foyle to appeal to Mr McGuinness for help, believing that he was the only man in the city who could protect the church.
Little did he expect that Martin McGuinness would be at the church within a few hours. It was that first meeting that would mark the beginning of a remarkable relationship that evolved and developed over the next 11 years.
In a Leap of Faith, Rev Latimer tells how that meeting led to a strong and lasting friendship that was as close as it was unexpected and that was cemented by their joint commitment to peace building and improving the lives of Northern Ireland’s young people.
Publishing house Blackstaff, says, “Covering a series of key events – including David Latimer’s speech at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, Martin McGuinness’s handshake with the Queen and their joint work for peace – this timely, heartfelt and moving book tells the inspiring story of a friendship that had a lasting impact in Derry and beyond.”
David Latimer will be signing copies of his new book in Eason’s, Letterkenny Shopping Centre, on Sunday, December 16 from 2-4pm.
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