Northern Ireland Political Talks – Statement from the Church of Ireland’s Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group
From The Rt Revd Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, Chair of the Working Group:
The members of the Church of Ireland’s Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group wish to add our encouragement to political representatives from all parties and to the British and Irish Governments as they engage in talks to try to resolve the many issues which are preventing progress being made in society in Northern Ireland. They are in our prayers each day.
It is our hope that the talks are entered into wholeheartedly as the matters to be discussed are too serious and too complex to be addressed in any other spirit. The task of those involved in the talks is not an easy one and everyone in Northern Ireland needs to accept some responsibility for creating an atmosphere where our elected representatives can find it difficult to make courageous and tough decisions.
Arriving at sound, long term decisions in a divided society which still carries a great deal of pain and darkness from the past is incredibly difficult. Deepening financial pressures only add to the complexity. There will be many areas where it may seem safer to do nothing. However, principled compromise and accommodation are not weaknesses in the political world and we encourage all involved in the current talks to work beyond a state of semi–permanent impasse, which leads to further disillusionment and deepening distrust.
A prayer for the political talks
Reconciling God,
as our political leaders meet to find ways forward,
give them, we pray:
hearts which seek after your will,
a listening and respectful spirit,
a desire for the good of all,
and a love for peacemaking which will bless the whole of our community,
through Christ our living Lord. Amen