Leaders from the Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Churches are endorsing a cross-church campaign in support of the upcoming Haass talks to encourage all who are taking part and the wider community to seek the common good at this time.
The campaign entitled ‘Hope and History – Building Peace in Northern Ireland’ is inviting members of the churches to sign up to a statement that gives positive encouragement to those who are committed to making peace work and to improve relationships into the future.
The campaign has been devised by members of various churches and has now been endorsed by Cardinal Seán Brady (Catholic Primate of All Ireland), Most Rev Richard Clarke (Church Of Ireland Primate Of All Ireland), Rt Rev Dr Rob Craig (Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland) and Rev Dr Heather Morris (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland).
Dr Heather Morris says, “As Richard Haass arrives to help to see us through our current impasse we want to encourage our leaders and our community as a whole to seek the common good at this most opportune of times. Words themselves will not be the final answer – no words are adequate to compensate for, or cover the grief of the peoples here. However, as people of faith, we can join in prayer and in hope, in commitment and in conviction that these talks can and must be a step forward toward this important reality.”
ENDS
- The statement can be read in full online at www.hopeandhistory.com where people can also sign their support.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
