Speaking in advance of the talks at St. Andrew's next week, the four Church Leaders issued the following statement:
We recognise the courageous efforts that have been made by many involved in the political process to make progress towards a shared future for the people of Northern Ireland.
We see this as a journey with many stages and encourage them to embark on the next stage of that journey with confidence. The talks at St. Andrew's will give a special opportunity to find ways of moving beyond the divisions and sectarianism of the past towards a future where as trust develops so too will emerge creative ways of working and living together.
We strongly encourage the Governments and local politicians particularly at this time to look beyond the things which fragment and divide our society and to concentrate their efforts on those aspects of the process which will lead towards positive outcomes.
The progress already achieved has raised high hopes. We ask all people of good will to pray that those hopes may not be dashed but that the present opportunity may be taken for the common good of all the people.
Archbishop Sean Brady
Presbyterian Moderator Dr David Clarke
Archbishop Robin Eames
Methodist President Rev Ivan McElhinney
Issued by Sarah Harding, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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