Bishops meet Ulster Unioinists
Following the meeting on Friday 15 December 2006 between a number of the Bishops of the Church of Ireland and a delegation from the Ulster Unionist Party, the Bishops issued the following statement:
"Our meeting with members of the UUP today was one of a series of meetings which we have held with political parties in Northern Ireland. It was an opportunity to continue to build dialogue at a season when, traditionally, Christian churches recall the values of goodwill, the desire for peace the imperative to share the good news of Christ.
"The points raised by the Bishops included the UUP's plans to engage further with the political process, their proposals to address issues such as economic regeneration, issues to do with policing and controversial social legislation.
"The Bishops expressed their hope that the UUP would continue to talk with the Church of Ireland on many levels. The Bishops encouraged the UUP to persist with the political process despite the challenges that it poses."
The Church of Ireland Bishops attending the meeting were:
The Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland
The Right Revd Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher
The Right Revd Kenneth Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe