Several hundred people including relatives of the "disappeared" attended a special interdenominational service for victims in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, yesterday. The service was organised by the victims' group, Wave, and was conducted by the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady.
Local politicians, including the North's former first and deputy first ministers, David Trimble and Seamus Mallon, along with political representatives of the British and Irish governments, were also in the congregation.
During his address, Archbishop Brady said it was important that the search continued for victims' remains. Locating the bodies was important as it would allow the families "to overcome their sorrow".
The archbishop said he prayed that people who had not already done so would have the courage to come forward and provide information which might be of help in the search for the bodies that had not yet been located.
"Families need to know the truth about what happened," continued Dr Brady. "They have a right to know that truth. It is essential for their peace of mind that they should receive the information that will set their minds at rest and enable them to get on with grieving."
The memory of the "disappeared" saddened and shamed everyone, he said. It should "also spur us on to do all in our power to ensure that this thing can never happen again in our society".
The Catholic Primate added: "The seeds of mutual trust planted in recent months must be given a chance to bear fruit. The relationships that were only beginning to be built up must be given time to grow."
Dr Brady said that despite the recent setbacks in the North he was convinced the conditions and goodwill still existed to deliver a lasting peace. He said sight should not be lost of the progress made, and due credit should be given to people who had moved on all sides. However, Dr Brady said, the decommissioning issue should be addressed once and for all and help bring an end to the tradition of physical force in Ireland.