But there was no integration or tolerance between Protestant and Catholic communities, and sectarian grievances ultimately led to renewed violence. Healing the Divide Lasting peace will only come if the political compromise approved in yesterday's referendum is followed by a cultural transformation in Northern Irish society. The wall of separation between Protestant and Catholic communities must be broken down. Religious apartheid starts when a child is born into a Catholic or Protestant maternity ward. Catholic children go to Catholic kindergartens, Catholic state schools, Catholic community centers, and play in Catholic sports teams.
Protestant children go to the equivalent Protestant institutions.
Children are taught the religion, culture, and history of only their community. They rarely meet people from the other community or learn their point of view. Neighborhoods are divided between Catholics and Protestants - often with curbsides painted to show allegiance to the Irish or British flags. The people at the negotiating table have never experienced an integrated society. It is to the credit of all parties that they moved beyond traditional political positions to reach a peace agreement.