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The General Board of the Presbyterian Church has thanked the elected politicians for the work they have done in the interests of the citizens in both parts of Ireland while encouraging them to persevere in the task of seeking a just and inclusive society free of the threat of violence. In the report adopted by the General Board which met in Belfast on Thursday, 24th February, it calls upon political parties to deal with the impasse together, respecting one another and trying, as far as possible, to accommodate the needs and goals of other groups as well as their own.
All created in God's image
The report, prepared by the Church and Government Committee, articulates the belief that, since we are all created in the image of God, the parties to the Good Friday Agreement can find a way forward but that this will require much talking and listening to one another. Its concern is that the impasse must be dealt with if we are not to see this society fall into cynicism, despair, anarchy and violence again.
The report also points out that 'Christians are called to be people of faith in time of doubt, people of hope in time of despair and people of love in times of bitterness.'
'As members of the Church of Jesus Christ,' continues the report, 'we are called to be builders of the peace. We therefore continue to make ourselves available to politicians to listen to them and to share the stories that we hear and the understandings that we glean in the course of our pastoral duties.'
Politicians urged to continue
The report concludes by urging 'our politicians to keep on in the search for peace' calling on the whole membership of the Presbyterian Church to 'continue in prayer for our politicians while ourselves working for peace, understanding, justice and the abundance of grace.'
The General Board agreed the following resolution:
The General Board, disappointed that it proved necessary to suspend the Executive and believing that since God has loved us and commanded us to demonstrate our faith by loving our enemies;
(a) encourages Presbyterians to continue to pray and be diligent in the pursuit of peace in their own localities.
(b) thanks elected politicians for the work they have done in the interests of the citizens of both parts of Ireland.
(c) requests both Governments and elected politicians to persevere in the slow and demanding task of seeking an inclusive and just society free of the threat of violence, being aware of the needs of others as well as of their own.
(d) in accordance with the overwhelming desire of the people in both parts of this Island, to have finished with terrorism in all its forms forever (as expressed in the Referenda) the General Board encourages all paramilitary groups to become the explicit servants of the democratic process.
Click here for the full text of the General Board report.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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