The Church of Ireland Primate Dr Robin Eames today said a drive to seek equality and co-operation between the North's different traditions must be the "vision" for the coming year.
He said the price of peace had been immense.
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Dr Robin Eames |
In his New Year message the Archbishop of Armagh encouraged those striving for peace not to become disheartened and to continue the struggle.
"Let us all take heart when we remember two facts: how far we have come in a relatively short time and the inherent decency of the vast majority of people in both our main traditions," he said.
"Even a few years ago few would have imagined that the political structures we now have would have been possible."
He said all strands of Northern Ireland society deserved a future of peace and justice. "The best of those traditions is what we must hold on to in 2001."
"Clear minds and a determination to seek justice, not just for our own tradition, but for what is important to others, must be the vision we take with us into this new year."
Dr Eames spoke of the problems still to be overcome to achieve a lasting peace.
"The pain of change for many of our people has been almost unbearable. The price of peace has been immense," he said.
Those people who retain painful memories of previous hurt must never be forgotten, he said.
PA