A serious Christian event – March for Jesus – scheduled for Saturday June 7, in Belfast has been called off in consequence of unresolved safety and logistical issues, sparking disappointment amongst supporters and organisers alike.
The All Nations Church in Belfast was behind the planning of the parade, which had secured approval from the Parades Commission to accommodate as many as 10,000 marchers and an equal variety of onlookers.
Described on the March for Jesus website as a vibrant public celebration of Christian faith, the Belfast march was scheduled to kick off at Custom House Square and finish at Donegall Square North.
Pastor John Ahern, Senior Pastor of All Nations Church and one in all the organisers of the event, announced the cancellation on Tuesday June 3.
He cited concerns about managing the anticipated crowd size and delays with vital permits as key aspects behind the choice.
“This decision was not taken evenly,” he stated.
“We know a lot of you could have prayed, promoted and ready faithfully for today. Your passion for lifting the name of Jesus in Belfast has not gone unnoticed.”
“Please join us in continuing to hope for unity, peace and revival in Northern Ireland.”
Dr John Kyle, a former Belfast City Councillor, expressed regret over the cancellation and suggested unfamiliarity with Northern Ireland’s event regulations could have posed challenges for the Dublin-based organisers.
“They organised a really successful parade in Dublin in November and March for Jesus has been a really effective Christian witness all the world over, so it’s all very unlucky,” he said, in line with the Belfast News Letter.
From New Life City Church, Pastor Jack McKee, echoed the frustration.
Although in a roundabout way involved in planning, he noted that multiple government bodies, including the Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), had expressed support for the parade.
An attempt by one other ministry, Healing the Land, to step in and salvage the event was ultimately abandoned, as confirmed in a social media post on Thursday June 5.
The PSNI clarified in a press release that while they worked with other governmental partners to support the event’s planning, the ultimate decision to cancel didn’t come from law enforcement.
Belfast City Council, when approached for comment, underscored that safety planning is a prerequisite for all events on public property.
“We will engage with the event organisers to be certain that the suitable event management plans are in place to deliver the proposed activities safely,” a spokesperson said.
The March for Jesus is a component of a world movement that originated in England within the Eighties.
 A serious Christian event – March for Jesus - scheduled for Saturday June 7, in Belfast has been called off in consequence of...){kind=link}