Press Releases01 Oct 15

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Welcomes Faith Leaders’ Involvement

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP met with Northern Ireland church leaders and faith representatives yesterday (30 September 2015) to update them on the current talks progress. The Rt Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher, represented the Archbishop of Armagh.

Following her meeting, Ms Villiers said: ‘The involvement of Northern Ireland’s church leaders and faith representatives in the debate about Northern Ireland’s future is welcome. I briefed them on the progress of the talks. I was also clear about the serious consequences if the parties fail to agree.

‘Finding a way forward will not been easy and I am therefore pleased the church leaders and faith representatives have committed to doing all they can to help. I also know that leaders from other areas of civil society in Northern Ireland are ready to offer similar support and I will remain in contact with them as this process unfolds.’

Pictured above at Stormont House are (left to right) Revd Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Joint Secretary to the Church Leaders Group; Rt Revd Dr Ian McNie, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Revd Dr Donald Watts, President, Irish Council of Churches; Bishop John McDowell representing Archbishop Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh; Dr Saleen Tareen, Belfast Islamic Centre; Northern Ireland Secretary, Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP; Dr Satyavir Sighal, Secretary of the Indian Community Centre representing the Hindu community; Revd Brian Anderson, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; Bishop John McAreavey representing Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Ali Khan, Belfast Islamic Centre.