By Sarah Mac Donald - 17 April, 2014
Meeting of Church leaders with NI Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland outlined her priorities for political progress at a meeting with Church leaders on Wednesday.
Those present said they were encouraged by Theresa Villiers’ acknowledgement of the important role Churches play in society in Northern Ireland.
In a statement, the Church leaders said there was an “open and constructive conversation with the Secretary of State following her address.”
Theresa Villiers spoke of the need to move beyond the politics of identity to the politics of delivery.
For Churches, however, there needs to be a long-term focus on what might be described as the politics of fulfilment – moving beyond a focus on service delivery to examine the relationships that can lay the foundation for lasting change.
In their statement issued on Wednesday, the faith leaders said a particular concern for Churches was the relationship between the proposed welfare reform and the process of dealing with the past.
“We continue to believe that agreement on the contentious issues addressed in the Haass process will bring us closer to peace and reconciliation,” they said.
They continued, “For many people in Northern Ireland issues such as health, education, employment and welfare are an immediate priority. In our approach to healing the past we, as a society, cannot afford to lose sight of the responsibility to care for the vulnerable.”
Among the Church leaders who participated in the meeting was Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh; Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry; Most Rev Dr Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh; Rt Rev Dr Rob Craig, Presbyterian Moderator; Rev Dr Heather Morris, Methodist President; and Rev Dr Donald Watts, President of the Irish Council of Churches.
They said they recognised the challenge to Churches to continue to play their part in working for a more peaceful and reconciled society.
“We reiterate our commitment to supporting our political leaders and the whole of civic society as we work to address remaining obstacles to lasting peace.”
The engagement builds on a long history of dialogue between Churches and political leaders.
