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Interviewed on BBC Sunday Sequence Presbyterian Moderator Dr John Lockington said that he hopes as devolution takes place we would create a society where people treat one another will grace and generosity.
"I have encouraged politicians to seek agreement and I acknowledge that they have come to an arrangement which I think many people are ready to see work,' said the Moderator.
'I hope that, as devolution takes place, in turn we would create a society where people would treat one another with grace and generosity, where different people will feel at home with one another inside Northern Ireland and where we would seek to provide one another with a sense of belonging.
But the Moderator also realised that there are going to be problems in the outworking of these arrangements. 'I would like to see devolution working but I know there are lots of people who have apprehensions and fears about some of those that are involved.
'There is still the whole issue of decommissioning and that to me and many people remains a major problem. I want to see a peaceful society but I know there needs to be a response from those who hold on to illegal weapons. The threat is still there and people are fearful. Decommissioning remains both a political necessity and a moral imperative.'
'Many people continue to find this process hard to take, but I think there are also many who have suffered and who are now saying that if this is going to create a peaceful situation we would like to see it do so.
I don't think that trust and suspicion are going to disappear overnight with a devolved government. The community still remains very polarised and thing like this will take a long long time to work out.'
In conclusion Dr Lockington urged everyone to pray and support their politicians. 'I would continue to encourage people to pray for our politicians that they may be wise and courageous and with integrity exercise the responsibility that the electorate have given them. They should realise that we remember them in our prayers and will try to encourage them in all that they do to try to create a peaceful society.'
Issued by Stepen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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