The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Seán Brady, has effectively called on the Northern electorate to vote for pro-Belfast Agreement parties in the Assembly elections on November 26th.
Before casting their vote Archbishop Brady suggested that people might consider how best it can contribute to an inclusive and welcoming society for all, and to the creation of greater justice, peace and reconciliation.
In a strong endorsement of the agreement he said he remained absolutely committed to the Good Friday deal and that its implementation can be a vehicle of great healing and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
"I unapologetically call for continued support of the agreement and for its implementation since, quite frankly, I cannot see what other option is open to us at this time," he told the annual conference of the Order of the Knights of St Columbanus in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, Co Down at the weekend.
"The Good Friday agreement remains, what seems to me, to be a very honest and fair attempt at reconciling the different political aspirations and cultural traditions of the people of Northern Ireland," he added.
"The goal of a Northern Ireland with stable inclusive political institutions, free from violence and the threat of violence, where political objectives can be pursued in peace and democracy, is noble and reasonable by any standards," said Archbishop Brady.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, said in New York at the weekend that anti-agreement unionists must accept an all-Ireland agenda if they want to see a return of devolved government.
After meeting President Bush's special envoy on Ireland, Mr Richard Haass, he said efforts to restore the institutions of the agreement must proceed urgently after the election.
"The quicker after the elections we can get this moving forward, the better for the process," he said.
And of the DUP's insistence that the agreement must be renegotiated after the election, Mr Adams said, "The DUP like all the other parties in the election has to face up to the reality that not only is the Good Friday agreement an international treaty between two governments that cannot be re-negotiated but if they want a devolved administration the price they have to pay is it be in an all-Ireland infrastructure." SDLP candidate in North Belfast, Mr Alban Maginness, also said the agreement would not be re-negotiated. "Beyond hot air and bluster the DUP has nothing to offer," he said.
DUP candidate in the constituency, Mr Nigel Dodds, said Sinn Féin's, Mr Gerry Kelly, could become policing and justice minister in the Executive if the UUP polls better than his party. "Only a vote for the DUP can put a stop to this surrender and the fulfilment of what must be an IRA fantasy," said Mr Dodds.
