Press Releases
Four Church Leaders Urge Parties to Reach A Settlement (NI)
The Leaders of Ireland's four main churches have urged all the political parties to 'redouble their efforts to reach a settlement' concerning devolution of policing and justice powers.In a joint statement Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop Alan Harper, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson and Methodist President Revd Donald Ker have put on record their 'admiration for the comittment of all parties engaged in the talks to resolve the issues surrounding the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly.'
The Church Leaders state their belief that 'the people of Northern Ireland expect their representatives to ensure that agreement is reached,' and that 'there is an overwhelming desire throughout Northern Ireland for continued political progress and for the peace process to be sustained.'
In conclusion the leaders assure all the participants of their continued prayers.
The Church Leaders statement follows in full below.
ISSUED BY STEPHEN LYNAS, PRESBYTERIAN INFORMATION SERVICE, ON BEHALF OF THE FOUR CHURCH LEADERS
Stephen Lynas
Presbyterian Church Press Office
Church House
Belfast
BT1 6DW
Tel: 028 9032 2284
Fax: 028 9041 7307
Mobile: 07802 264 354
Home 028 2827 7325
Other Press Officers Contact Details
Church of Ireland Press Office: Paul Harron tel: o:028 9023 2909 m: 07787881 582
Catholic Communications Office: Martin Long tel: o: 003531 505 3010 m:003538 6172 7678
Methodist Press Office: Roy Cooper tel: h: 028 9181 5959 m:0771 094 5104
CHURCH LEADERS STATEMENT IN FULL
We wish to put on record our admiration for the comittment of all parties engaged in the talks to resolve the issues surrounding the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly.
We are particularly grateful to the Prime Minster, Gordon Brown and An Taoiseach, Brian Cowan for the intensity, time and energy they have invested in helping to complete the work of devolution.
The Prime Minister and An Taoiseach have indicated their conviction that much progress has been made and the parameters set for broad agreement.
In leaving the local political representatives to resolve outstanding difficulties they have shown their confidence in the determination of local politicians to complete the work.
We urge the delegations of all the political parties to redouble their efforts to reach a settlement.
We believe that the people of Northern Ireland expect their representatives to ensure that agreement is reached and that the institutions of partnership government are sustained.
We have come a very long way as a society since the dark days of the troubles. There is an overwhelming desire throughout Northern Ireland for continued political progress and for the peace process to be sustained.
No-one wishes to return to the tragic patterns of the past and we believe that responsibility of the politicians is to ensure that there is no return to dysfunctional division.
We continue to pray for all participants in the talks and seek especially the grace of God in support of their deliberations.
Cardinal Seán Brady
Archbishop Alan Harper
Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson
Methodist President Rev Donald Ker
ENDS