Ireland: four Church leaders urge parties to reach a settlement

The leaders of Ireland's four main churches have urged all the political parties to "redouble their efforts to reach a settlement" concerning devolution of policing and justice powers.

Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop Alan Harper, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson and Methodist President Rev Donald Ker have put on record their "admiration for the commitment of all parties engaged in the talks to resolve the issues surrounding the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly."

The Church Leaders state their belief that "the people of Northern Ireland expect their representatives to ensure that agreement is reached," and that "there is an overwhelming desire throughout Northern Ireland for continued political progress and for the peace process to be sustained."

In conclusion the leaders assure all the participants of their continued prayers.

Church leaders statement in full

We wish to put on record our admiration for the commitment of all parties engaged in the talks to resolve the issues surrounding the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly.

We are particularly grateful to the Prime Minster, Gordon Brown and An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen for the intensity, time and energy they have invested in helping to complete the work of devolution.

The Prime Minister and An Taoiseach have indicated their conviction that much progress has been made and the parameters set for broad agreement.

In leaving the local political representatives to resolve outstanding difficulties they have shown their confidence in the determination of local politicians to complete the work.

We urge the delegations of all the political parties to redouble their efforts to reach a settlement.

We believe that the people of Northern Ireland expect their representatives to ensure that agreement is reached and that the institutions of partnership government are sustained.
We have come a very long way as a society since the dark days of the troubles. There is an overwhelming desire throughout Northern Ireland for continued political progress and for the peace process to be sustained.

No-one wishes to return to the tragic patterns of the past and we believe that responsibility of the politicians is to ensure that there is no return to dysfunctional division.

We continue to pray for all participants in the talks and seek especially the grace of God in support of their deliberations.

Cardinal Seán Brady
Archbishop Alan Harper
Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson
Methodist President Rev Donald Ker