Speaking today at the 25th Anniversary Memorial Service for the victims of the Kingsmills massacre, Archdeacon Raymond Hoey, Church of Ireland Rector of Bessbrook, said: "It is my firm belief that the future of this land must be built on the courage, the stability and the love of people who have endured the most. They don't shout the loudest, they're not seen the most often on our television screens. But above all else, they know the value of life and the tragedy of violence."

Archdeacon Hoey told a large congregation in Bessbrook Town Hall that the only peace that would last is a peace that is built on truth and honour and goodness.

He said: "The people who have gathered here in Bessbrook today are representative of tens of thousands, in this land and beyond, whose lives have been deeply and tragically affected by the years of violence in this province, people who want peace more than anything else in the world.

"They want peace because they know the price of violence."

The Archdeacon added: " The real heroes of the search for peace in our land are not those who bargain with people's lives with the hint of further violence if they don't get their way. The real heroes are those good ordinary people in all communities who have endured so much suffering without retaliation, without bitterness, without hatred. Their attitudes frequently humble us all."

Archdeacon Hoey said there were many long and close friendships across the community divide which had endured even the darkest days. "This community in Bessbrook has not allowed itself to be torn apart even by the most dreadful violence. The people of this land can demonstrate the most amazing resilience, courage and dignity. This has been true of many other communities linked together in a common bond of grief... Darkley, Enniskillen, Greysteel, Loughinisland, Omagh and many, many others", he said. "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

Archdeacon Hoey has been associated with the Kingsmills Memorial Committee for over 20 years. The first Memorial Service was held in Bessbrook in 1981. The Kingsmills massacre, described as "one of the most cold-blooded acts of barbarity in the entire Troubles", occurred on 5 January 1976 when 10 local men were ambushed and murdered on their way home from work.