Drive for NI peace should not be lost – Church leaders

Joint statement said reconciled society is possible

Irish Church leaders have called on politicians to sustain the momentum generated by the Haass talks on divisive Northern Ireland issues.

 A joint statement from the leaders of the Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, together with the Irish Council of Churches, applauded the “strenuous and sincere efforts put in by all involved in seeking to find solutions” but said that the “momentum for building peace should not be lost”. 

Deadline

“The deadline for the Haass negotiations may have passed but the responsibility to work for the common good remains,” the statement signed by Cardinal Seán Brady said.

 “We are aware of the focus and effort that the forthcoming elections will require of our politicians but encourage all within the Executive to keep going with the work that has begun so that an acceptable process may be developed.”

The Church leaders said they appreciate that the issues addressed in the Haass process are “profoundly challenging”, but that they “firmly believe that a peaceful and reconciled society is possible”.