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The General Board of the Presbyterian Church - the most representative body after the General Assembly - has told the government not to assume that it can count on the political support of the Presbyterian Church.
Meeting in Belfast yesterday, 02-04-98, the Board 'strongly affirmed' the independence of the Church
'Many Presbyterians have been extremely annoyed by the alleged PR tactics of the government to influence public opinion and their appearing to expect public figures and church leaders to give unquestioning support,' said Rev Derek Poots, Acting Clerk of Assembly.
'It is normal practice for Boards and Committees of the Presbyterian Church to read documents carefully; seek briefings from a wide range of people; consult widely within our Church and, taking into account our Christian convictions, to reach our own conclusions and speak accordingly. The Church guards its independence carefully, and no government or political party should assume it can count on the political support of the Presbyterian Church.'
'The Church continues to encourage representatives of political parties to seek to reach a mutually acceptable political accommodation and supports them and prays for them in that endeavour,' added Mr Poots.
Resolutions passed by the General Board were:
The General Board extends its sympathy to the families and friends of those who have recently been murdered. The Board condemns these savage killings and considers them as attacking the whole community as well as the individuals concerned. The General Board reminds political parties that, having signed the Mitchell Principles, they are morally bound to actively support the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. The General Board strongly affirms the independence of the church, and no government or political party should assume that it can count on the political support of the Presbyterian Church. The General Board continues to encourage representatives of political parties to reach a mutually acceptable political accommodation and will support and pray for them in that endeavour. It is important to examine the matters before us carefully so that fears and anxieties are not exploited or permitted to exclude hope of a better future and the rational evaluation of proposals which may be agreed by the political parties. The people of God have faced change at every stage of their history and we should therefore be people whose eyes are turned to the future and whose lives are marked by faith, hope and love in God whose purposes for the people of this island are good.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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