Statement by the Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland) on the Service of Reflection & Hope

20 Oct 2021

On being informed that on doctor’s advice Her Majesty the Queen will not be travelling to Northern Ireland today, the Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland) issued the following  statement.

“We are very sorry to learn that it will not be possible for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be present for the Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh tomorrow. We wish to convey to Her Majesty our good wishes and, in doing so, to acknowledge the significance of her commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation, which has meant a great deal to people throughout this island. We hope that tomorrow’s service will provide an opportunity to further that work, with an emphasis on our shared hopes for the future.”

Rt Rev Dr David Bruce

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Most Rev John McDowell

Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of all Ireland

Most Rev Eamon Martin

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of all Ireland

Very Rev Dr Ivan Patterson

President of the Irish Council of Churches

Rev Dr Sahr Yambasu

President of the Methodist Church in Ireland

Ends.

Issued on behalf of the Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland) by Mark Smith, Presbyterian Church in Ireland press officer. For further information +44 (0) 7802 264 354 or Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors

Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland)

The Church Leaders Group (Ireland) comprises the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of all Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and the President of the Irish Council of Churches. All of these represent all-Ireland denominations with churches across the whole of the island of Ireland.

The Group came into existence in the late 1960s when the Church Leaders recognised the value in working together in light of the urgency of political developments of the time. Since then, those holding these offices have met frequently, united in their identity as disciples of Jesus and their shared commitment to work together for the common good.