Press Releases
ADDRESS TO CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, will address the Christian Association of Business Executives in London today.
The talk is entitled "Ireland - to be or not to be..." - The importance of attitudes.
He deals with:
- religious leadership
- conditioning of people
- perceptions
- diversity
- the Protestant community
- removal of resentment
- change
- sectarianism
The following is a quote from the lecture:
Hearts and minds:
"Change comes not through the imposition of reform. Change comes not with the headlines of dramatic pronouncements. Real change comes when enough hearts and minds want it. Real change comes when attitudes are expectant and welcoming of change. Attitudes hold the key.
"The real battle for Northern Ireland is for the hearts and minds of a population who deserve much more than they have so far experienced. The way in which change is communicated and expressed, the way in which it is shown to have actual advantage for peoples lives and the timing of it hold the key.
"Perhaps the most important consequence of the thesis of this lecture must be this. If a settlement emerge from the current Stormont dialogue and we all hope and pray it will - it will be the attitude of people which will determine its acceptance or rejection, its success or failure."
Text of the Hugh Kay Memorial Lecture 1997 (32k in size)
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH