Church of Ireland General Synod: The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, yesterday called on members of the Protestant community in the North to say "stop, and stop now" to all loyalist groupings.
Loyalist paramilitaries did not speak for the vast majority of Church of Ireland members in the North, he told the church's General Synod in Armagh.
"Loyalist paramilitaries cannot be excused simply because of republican paramilitaries. Loyalism cannot demand actions by republicanism while remaining ambivalent about loyalist paramilitaries.
"Armed gangs and so-called punishment beatings exist within Protestant areas.
"Roman Catholics continue to be attacked by thugs under the guise of loyalism simply because of their religious identity.
"Protestants are equally attacked because of their identity," he said.
"Neither community can allow itself to be misrepresented.
"Neither community should allow elements within it to dictate its life through threat or intimidation".
He called for both communities to speak up on the issue.
"Let criminal activity of whatever identity be seen for what it is - nothing to do with legitimate politics, nothing to do with a stable, just and forgiving community for the future."
Archbishop Eames was delivering the presidential address at the first Church of Ireland General Synod to take place in Armagh city.
It is also the first such synod to be attended by a Catholic primate.
Archbishop Seán Brady was a guest, as was the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Dr Ivan McKay, and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Jim Rea.
Archbishop Eames praised Archbishop Brady's lecture in London last week where he called on both communities in the North to address vigorously the paramilitaries in their midst.
It was an address "which I recognise and welcome as an example of tremendous integrity and courage".
He repeated his view that where a truth and reconciliation commission was concerned, he believed the South African model would not be applicable to the situation in Ireland, particularly in Northern Ireland.
In South Africa the war was over.
Major political steps had been taken and acknowledgment given to a totally new era, he said.
Speaking to the media later, Archbishop Eames queried whether the British government's reaction to paramilitary violence was "sufficiently urgent".