The General Board of the Presbyterian Church has called for a restoration of "moral integrity" to the peace process.
Meeting in Belfast today, Thursday 24 February, the 250 strong body of ministers and lay people from around Ireland called on the two governments to "restore moral integrity to the peace process by insisting that no political party shall participate in the future government of Northern Ireland unless it is fully committed to democratic methods alone and, where applicable, renounces and forsakes criminality and engages in complete, verifiable de-commissioning."
In a statement the Board refers to criminality which it says is "is deeply ingrained in some sections of Northern Ireland society, both republican and loyalist." The Board continues that it is "deeply concerned at the lack of clarity about what is right and what is wrong. It reminds all citizens alike of the Moral Law of God, set out in the 10 Commandments, and the commands of Jesus to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and to 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'(Matt.22:37,39).
"Until political parties end all connections to criminality, and fully commit to democratic methods alone, there is no place for them in the future government of Northern Ireland, nor in formal negotiations about such government. Sin, cruelty and duplicity are incompatible with peace, trust and respect for human rights," continued the Board's statement.
Specifically referring to the Northern Bank Robbery, the Board expressed its "dismay" at the robbery and the "subsequent revelations implicating Sinn Fein. This wilful and planned act violated the law of God, subjected bank employees and their families to terror and cruelty, betrayed relationships with the two Governments, other political parties and people of goodwill and destroyed trust in the commitment of Sinn Fein to seek peace.
"The General Board notes the repeated denials by Sinn Fein of any involvement in the bank robbery, despite the assessments of the PSNI, the Garda Siochona, the two Governments, and the International Monitoring Commission. Veracity is fundamental to the integrity of any person or political party. Without veracity, there is no credibility. The denials of Sinn Fein ring hollow."
In concluding its statement the Board affirmed its continuing commitment to a just and inclusive political settlement. "The General Board reiterates its commitment to a political settlement in Northern Ireland that is just and inclusive, and longs for the day when people can live together in true peace, mutual respect and tolerance. This will require integrity of purpose, speech and deed. Believing in the potential of the whole community for a much brighter future, it calls on the members of the Church to renewed commitment to pray and to work for that vision to be realised soon."
The full statements of the Board follows:
"The General Board is dismayed at the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery on 20th December 2004, and at the subsequent revelations implicating Sinn Fein. This wilful and planned act
"The General Board notes the repeated denials by Sinn Fein of any involvement in the bank robbery, despite the assessments of the PSNI, the Garda Siochona, the two Governments, and the International Monitoring Commission. Veracity is fundamental to the integrity of any person or political party. Without veracity, there is no credibility. The denials of Sinn Fein ring hollow.
"The General Board sees the bank robbery as further evidence of a criminality which is deeply ingrained in some sections of Northern Ireland society, both republican and loyalist. It is deeply concerned at the lack of clarity about what is right and what is wrong. It reminds all citizens alike of the Moral Law of God, set out in the 10 Commandments, and the commands of Jesus to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and to 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'(Matt.22:37,39)
"The General Board believes that until political parties end all connections to criminality, and fully commit to democratic methods alone, there is no place for them in the future government of Northern Ireland, nor in formal negotiations about such government. Sin, cruelty and duplicity are incompatible with peace, trust and respect for human rights.
"The General Board, therefore, calls on the two Governments to restore moral integrity to the peace process by insisting that no political party shall participate in the future government of Northern Ireland unless it is fully committed to democratic methods alone, and where applicable, renounces and forsakes criminality and engages in complete, verifiable de-commissioning.
"The General Board reiterates its commitment to a political settlement in Northern Ireland that is just and inclusive, and longs for the day when people can live together in true peace, mutual respect and tolerance. This will require integrity of purpose, speech and deed. Believing in the potential of the whole community for a much brighter future, it calls on the members of the Church to renewed commitment to pray and to work for that vision to be realised soon."
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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