|
|
|
Presbyterian Moderator Dr Sam Hutchinson has described the Multi Party Talks as an 'historic opportunity for political accommodation' which he urged nationalists and unionists not to miss. The comments were endorsed by the General Board of the Presbyterian Church meeting in Belfast this morning (26-02-98). This is the most representative body outside the General Assembly and comprises a membership of some 200 ministers and lay people from throughout Ireland
Having visited Portadown only hours after Monday's bombing, the Moderator is only too aware that many people are extremely sceptical as to whether it is worth continuing in the talks yet he would urge politicians and governments to continue. 'Violence from any faction must not be allowed to destroy this opportunity. I am dismayed that some paramilitary groups could not bring themselves to stop killing people and bombing towns in order to give the political process an opportunity to succeed.'
Echoing other resolutions passed by the General Board, Dr Hutchinson called on everyone to continue in prayer daily and also commended the efforts being made to ' move the relationships in our society from confrontation to consensus and to give due recognition to our underlying interdependence.
Turning its attention to the forthcoming marching season the General Board also urged that local agreement about parades be reached, but where such agreement about a particular parade cannot be reached, those who parade and those who protest should abide by the lawfully taken 'determinations' of the Parades Commission.
The Board passed the following resolutions:
- The General Board, believing that the unlawful taking of another human life is totally unacceptable, is dismayed that some paramilitary groups could not bring themselves to stop killing people and bombing towns in order to give the political process an opportunity to succeed.
- The Board condemns the outrageous spate of murders and the bomb attacks on Moira and Portadown and extends its sympathy to those who have been bereaved or injured, or who have suffered damage to their property.
- The General Board urges the government to take all possible steps to speed up compensation payments to those whose property and businesses have been damaged by terrorist bombs. It is intolerable that they should have to wait for years, without good reason, to receive compensation to which they are entitled.
- The General Board congratulates the Garda Siochana on its recent significant explosives find in Co. Cavan which clearly has prevented damage to property and possible loss of life.
- The historic opportunity which exists for a political accommodation between nationalists and unionists ought not to be missed. Violence from any faction must not be allowed to destroy this opportunity.
- The General Board urges that local agreement about parades be reached, but where such agreement about a particular parade cannot be reached, the General Board urges those who parade and those who protest to abide by the lawfully taken 'determinations' of the Parades Commission.
- The General Board commends every effort being made to move the relationships in our society from confrontation to consensus and to give due recognition to our underlying interdependence.
- The General Board, recognising the difficulties in arriving at an agreed solution to our present political difficulties call all Church members to special prayer for a happy resolution of our problems. We call upon each member to pray about these issues daily. For the next three months we request every congregation to provide opportunities for united prayer on a Saturday evening or other appropriate occasion.
- The General Board agrees that a letter be written to the Israeli Prime Minister through the Israeli Ambassadors in London and Dublin expressing our Church's concern about -
(i) the proposed amendment to the Enticement to Change religion law 1977 through a Bill sponsored by two Knesset members Zvilli and Gafni in February 1997; and
(ii) the addition being proposed to that Bill by Knesset member Pinchasi proscribing any change of religion which could result in a form of religious totalitarianism through which freedom to chose one's faith would be restricted and only the official majority could disseminate information and practice their faith without fear of restriction, reprisal or possible imprisonment.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive