Diocesan News19 Jun 09

Bishop Good welcomes Acts of Decommissioning

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, has welcomed the announcement that three loyalist paramilitary groups are reported to have undertaken acts of decommissioning of weapons.

Bishop Good said “Northern Ireland is on a journey towards becoming a normal society again after too many painful and violent years. The decommissioning of illegal weapons by all paramilitary organizations is an important step on that journey. For this reason all members of our community welcome today’s important announcement”.

He continued, “The use of illegal weapons has resulted in many hundreds of deaths and in immense grief, heartbreak and mistrust. Their use by any and all paramilitary groups was neither legitimate nor justifiable. Those who used such weapons bear enormous responsibility for the distress and devastation they have caused, and they must take seriously the need to contribute constructively to the community's  journey towards reconciliation.

Acts of decommissioning are to be warmly welcomed as an initial and essential step towards a peaceful shared future, but this significant move must also include an outright rejection of any involvement in   sectarian or criminal activity.”