The Four Church Leaders (Ireland) Church Leaders Look Forward to St Andrews Talks

06 Oct 2006

PRESS RELEASE

6 OCTOBER 2006

THE FOUR CHURCH LEADERS (IRELAND)

CHURCH LEADERS LOOK FORWARD TO ST ANDREWS TALKS

Speaking in advance of the talks at St. Andrew¹s 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. Andrew¹s 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 Seán Brady
Presbyterian Moderator Dr David Clarke
Archbishop Robin Eames
Methodist President Rev Ivan McElhinney

6th October 2006

Interview requests should be made through the appropriate
Church Press Office:

Catholic Church: Martin Long 00353 86 172 7678
Presbyterian Church: Stephen Lynas 028 9032 2284, 07802 264 354
Church of Ireland: Press Office 028 9023 2909
Methodist Church: Roy Cooper – 028 9181 5959, 0771 094 5104

Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)