The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

It was with a great sense of sadness that we all learnt about the suspension of the Assembly on Friday night. So much work has been done throughout this community to bring about a stable and devolved form of government in Northern Ireland, and this has been encouraged by clergy and church leaders.

Now, as with the disciples on the Road to Emmaus after the Resurrection, the words that come most quickly to our minds are, ‘We had hoped…..’ in this situation we had hoped that decommissioning might begin. Indeed, that hope was expressed in an opinion poll by 87 per cent of the people of the Republic as well as by the newspapers in Britain and the USA. It was the hope of the world around us too. We had also hoped that the Assembly would continue to deal with the ordinary issues of a normalized society: school, industry, tourism, health, and all the other things which affect us on a day to day basis. And we hoped, as we entered the year 2000 just weeks ago, that we might move into a new era where weapons were no longer considered necessary and where the divisions and bitterness of the past could be left behind.

At this moment in time, our hopes have been dashed, at least temporarily, and we are uncertain about the future. But it is at that very point that the Christian message comes into its own. In our weakness, God is our strength; and when we have no answers, prayer becomes all the more real and vital. Those disciples on the Emmaus Road, who felt their situation hopeless, found the risen Christ present in the midst of despair, and my prayer is that we too would find the presence of God among us at this time.

It is a time for patience, a time for reflection, and a time to avoid recriminations. The Assembly which has been suspended can be brought back into being, given the right circumstances, and the desire to find a way forward. We must make every effort to ensure this happens, for the sake of all our tomorrows.