Ireland's faces a great opportunity for peace, but strong forces are trying to "claw us back into darkness", according to the Church of Ireland Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robert Eames.He was speaking on Saturday at the consecration of a new church in Killorglin, Co Kerry, the first to take place in the country since 1860. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who was also in Kerry at the weekend, took the opportunity to discuss the Northern Ireland situation with Dr Eames. A spokesman for the Taoiseach said the two men reviewed developments in the North since the summer.It was part of an ongoing dialogue the Taoiseach was having with representatives of all traditions and parties in Northern Ireland, with a view to furthering the peace process.At the consecration ceremony on Saturday, Dr Eames spoke about "the darkness of age-old animosities, the darkness of violence", which "all confront the Christian message with a challenge as significant as the challenge of our Lord's time."Christianity may not be on trial in Ireland. The lives of Christians most certainly are.""This is a crucial moment in our history. So much opportunity offers itself to the people of Ireland. Yet so much in attitude and reaction claws us back into that darkness."Ireland "is being called to a time of testing. The Christian churches of Ireland face a new atmosphere in which people will recognise what must be changed if we are to move forward to the millennium as a place of stability, justice and peace? Can the Christian churches lead the way to a new era of understanding, compassion and charity which all our people so richly deserve?"The Church of Ireland community "has a vital role to play in the process of healing wounds of he past and in supporting the way forward for Ireland", Dr Eames said. "We must find again the inspiration of worship, witness and faith - and we must do so together."Dr Eames said he had dedicated his primacy to the reconciliation process in Ireland.