Church leaders urge NI parties to work together

THE HEADS of the four main churches in Ireland met the DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson yesterday to discuss a range of issues including how leaders can overcome differences to achieve a more stable future.

The meeting took place a day after Mr Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness publicly disagreed over the policing and justice issue when they were holding a press conference beside Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Limavady, Co Derry.

The meeting with Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady, Bishop Michael Jackson representing Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper, Presbyterian moderator Dr Stafford Carson and Methodist President Rev Donald Kerr was held at the request of Mr Robinson and in response to an open letter from the church leaders in early November.

None of the church leaders was available for interview. But in a statement they confirmed that they discussed political and other leadership. They said they spoke about the “continued commitment of all in leadership to demonstrate an ability to overcome differences through working together for a better and more stable future”.

The church figures said they also discussed with Mr Robinson present levels of violent crime, particularly against older people, the need for a comprehensive response from community and political leaders, and the importance of engaging with young people in the building of a more inclusive and safe society.

Meanwhile, the verbal and head-shaking quarrel between Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness after the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Limavady made headlines and dominated radio talks shows yesterday.

The DUP and Sinn Féin kept a low profile. The Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP, however, said the row demonstrated clearly that Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness were failing to provide leadership.

UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said it was clear the current Northern Executive was “dysfunctional” and was performing worse than the first Executive led by the UUP and the SDLP.

SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said the DUP making parading a precondition to transferring justice powers had little to do with creating public confidence but “a lot to do” with electoral positioning.