The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, called for "calm and considered judgment" on the part of the Protestant community of the latest IRA ceasefire.
In a statement on Saturday, the Archbishop said: "I welcome any development which will remove the threat of murder, terrorist attack and fear from this community. It is only natural that, in the light of experience, most people will long for proof that this is to be a permanent and lasting renunciation of all violence, murder and so-called punishment beatings. Time alone will provide this proof."
The Catholic Primate, Dr Sean Brady, also welcomed the ceasefire and commended the work of those who had helped to build it. "Now the task is to build the trust required to enable the peace, which so many desire, to become a reality."
The Presbyterian Moderator, the Rev Dr Sam Hutchinson, prayed that the ceasefire would be one further step towards a permanent peace and a lasting political settlement.