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Later this morning (5 May) at a 10.30am Press Conference in Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast, the Presbyterian Church will issue its response to 'The Agreement.'
Recognising that many look to the church for 'moral and spiritual guidance' the Church and Government Committee has, out of pastoral concern issued its response. The response recognises that 'it is the responsibility of elected politicians to negotiate a political accommodation,' and so' the General Assembly in June 1997 encouraged politicians to enter the talks process.' The accommodation reached 'does not represent defeat or assimilation but is rather a political accommodation which could be a way out of the darkness of the last 30 years into a better future.'
Commenting on the nature of the accommodation the Presbyterian response recognises that 'The Agreement locates the decision about the constitutional future of Northern Ireland within Northern Ireland' and notes the amending of Articles 2 and 3 which the 'Presbyterian Church has long asked for (these Articles) to be addressed.' It suggests that the North/South Ministerial Council 'will have an impact in the South as well as the North,' and that the 'new devolved Assembly in Northern Ireland offers all the people of Northern Ireland greater control over their future, as it will return power to elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland.'
Addressing the release of prisoners the response says 'The early release of convicted paramilitary prisoners seems so unjust.' However it goes on to recognise that 'no judicial sentence is strictly proportionate to the crime committed... They have served their time in prison but they have not thereby undone the consequences of their actions.' 'The release of prisoners can only be contemplated as part of a search for a greater good. Any early release of prisoners is an act of generosity and not of right. In getting early releases, these prisoners are getting what they do not deserve.' 'In the search for peace, we all, but especially those people from both communities who have lost their loved ones, are being asked to accept this additional burden for the sake of a new future. This may be the most difficult part of the cost of peacemaking.' 'Careful and generous attention must be paid in word and action to the needs of victims and their families, many of whom have truly received a life sentence.'
On Decommissioning the Church and Government Committee says that 'Those who signed the Mitchell Principles are under a moral obligation actively to pursue the decommissioning of weapons. Paramilitary groups, whose members would be released from prison as a part of the Agreement, owe it to the rest of the community to act on this quickly and thereby build confidence that we are facing a new future.'
Turning its attention to policing the response makes it clear that 'The composition, culture and style of policing should be reflective and supportive of the diverse traditions and people of Northern Ireland... But the Committee would be concerned if the proposed Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland resulted in the dismantling of the RUC.'
In conclusion the Presbyterian response recognises that 'The citizens of both parts of this island find themselves in a situation which has not existed before in the lifetime of any one of us... Anxiety and hope are both marks of these times. To read the bible is to be nurtured in the accounts of how the people of God have, with faith, faced changes at every stage in their history. We should therefore be people whose eyes are turned to the future, and whose lives are marked by hope, faith and love. Failure to settle disputes when there is the opportunity is not always wise.' Lastly the Church calls on Presbyterians to consider the issues prayerfully. 'The issues are complex and the decision to be made significant, so let us consider these issues prayerfully before God, who loves all the people of these islands.'
To view a copy of the response click here
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