Value What Has Been Achieved And
Do All To Resolve The Current Impasse

The General Board of the Presbyterian Church has expressed its 'deep concern' at the present political impasse. It has called on the British and Irish Governments, elected politicians and paramilitary groups to do all they can the resolve the current impasse as another step on the road to reconciliation.

Meeting in Belfast this morning, Thursday 15 April, the General Board said that at the heart of the impasse was ' mistrust associated with decommissioning and other issues in society.'

In praying for and encouraging all those involved the Board asked people to' value the importance of what has so far been achieved' and to be 'conscious of the opportunities to move towards a new future in which the different communities in Ireland can honour, respect and co-operate with each other.'

In other resolutions the Board expressed its shock at events in Kosovo. It was particularly concerned at the potential for further conflict.

The Board called on people to 'pray for all involved in the Kosovon conflict and that a way forward may be found whereby the people of the Balkans may live securely and at peace with one another.'

The full text of the Board resolutions are as follows:

1. The General Board, conscious of the opportunities to move towards a new future in which the different communities in Ireland can honour, respect and co-operate with each other, is deeply concerned about the current political impasse occasioned by mistrust associated with decommissioning and other issues in society.

2. The General Board prays for and encourages the British and Irish Governments and the elected politicians from different sections of this community, as well as the paramilitary groups with which some of them are associated, to value the importance of what has so far been achieved and to do all they can to resolve the current difficulties , as another step on the road to reconciliation. (lest we all perish together. (Luke 13:1-5))

3. That the General Board is shocked at what has been happening in Kosovo and its potential for further conflict and calls upon congregations to respond to the Moderatoršs recent letter with generosity.

4. That the General Board calls on people to continue to pray for all involved in the Kosovon conflict and that a way forward may be found whereby the people of the Balkans may live securely and at peace with one another.

Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org

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