Church leaders' hopes for peace

Lord Eames and other church leaders have called for prayers

The leaders of the four main churches in Northern Ireland are asking congregations to say special prayers for the province's politicians on Sunday.

They are urging church-goers, north and south of the border, to remember the political leaders as they consider the package of proposals being put forward by the two governments in an attempt to break the current deadlock in the political process.

UK prime minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern are drawing up a package of proposals for a settlement between the pro-Agreement parties.

The main issues to be resolved include the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, policing, demilitarisation and the stability of the political institutions.

The long-term future and wellbeing of us all is at stake

Dr Sean Brady Archbishop of Armagh

The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, said: "I encourage all people of goodwill to reflect on the critical stage we have reached in the peace process and to pray that God will guide all who have serious political decisions to make at this time.

"The long-term future and wellbeing of us all is at stake."

Archbishop Brady said on Tuesday that the political progress to date had to be consolidated and built upon.

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Dr Alastair Dunlop, said he wanted to urge people to pray that God would guide all those with serious political decisions to make.

'Power for good'

"Outbreaks of inter-community violence continue to occur," he said.

"The prayers of God's people for the whole community are a power for good."

Church of Ireland Primate Dr Robin Eames said there was a clear duty to call on people to pray for those with a heavy responsibility at this time.

"The violence we are seeing on our streets where there is such a risk to the lives of the innocent, including little children, must be challenged in God's name," he said.

The President of the Methodist Church, the Reverend Harold Good, said: "In praying for our political representatives, an end to vicious sectarian violence and a lasting peace, let us commit ourselves to being part of the answer to the prayers we pray."