Cathal BarryArchbishop Eamon Martin called on politicians to have “open minds”
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh has appealed to politicians in the North “to move things forward” as they begin a new round of talks as part of the continuing peace process.
Archbishop Eamon said this would take “courageous and creative leadership” on the part of Northern Ireland’s political representatives.
He also said it would take “leadership that has enough self-belief and commitment to the greater good to look beyond the next election or purely party-political interests”.
Archbishop Eamon made his comments at a Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, for the intentions of Pope Francis for peace in the world.
Trenches
In his homily, the Archbishop warned: “If we just keep on digging trenches for ourselves, then there is a real risk that confidence in the ability of politics to resolve problems will be undermined.”
He called on politicians to have “open minds and generous hearts during these talks, together with steady nerves and prudent speech.
“I appeal strongly to them on behalf of so many people to make the talks work this time. I am confident that many of us in the Churches and civic society stand ready to play our part in making their agreements work on the ground,” he said.
Archbishop Eamon has recently added his name to ‘Make It Work’, an online campaign in support of the current talks process, which has been signed by a number of leading figures in the North.