Press Releases28 Sep 23

Welcome from Holy See embassies for Rome visit

Today, the Church Leaders Group (Ireland) commence a two–day visit to Rome on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the British Ambassador to the Holy See, HE Chris Trott, and Irish Ambassador to the Holy See, HE Frances Collins, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Group of Church Leaders (Ireland) to Rome on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. For decades, the Churches have played an important role in supporting peace and reconciliation, including in preparing the ground for the successful negotiation of the agreement, facilitating inter–community dialogue and in their ecumenical work, which promoted a deeper understanding of the root causes of the conflict. Their invaluable work continues today, as they support and guide communities across Northern Ireland navigating the very serious challenges of living in a post–conflict society.” 

Speaking on their hopes for the visit, the Ambassadors added: “Unfortunately, as we know only too well, there is no blueprint for the achievement of peace. But by sharing experiences, we hope that the visit of the Group of Church Leaders will serve to inspire other Church and faith–based leaders as they work to support peace and reconciliation around the world.”

The centrepiece of the visit is a seminar on the role Church and faith–based leaders play in peace making and reconciliation hosted by the Irish and British Embassies to the Holy See at the Pontifical Irish College on Thursday afternoon. HE Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, will give the keynote address. The five Church Leaders will share their experiences in supporting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland including in building bridges between communities.

The Church Leaders Group comprises the Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin; the Church of Ireland Primate of all Ireland, Archbishop John McDowell; the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rt Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney; the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev David Turtle; and the President of the Irish Council of Churches, Bishop Andrew Forster. 

Speaking about the seminar, the Church Leaders said: “We would like to thank the British and Irish ambassadors to the Holy See for their kind invitation for us to take part in this important seminar. It is a welcome opportunity to spend time, not only reflecting on where we have come from over the past 25 years, but also looking to the future, highlighting our common allegiance to Jesus as Lord, and the responsibility of all Christians to work for peace, wherever they may be. This special seminar also affords us an opportunity to share our collective thoughts and personal reflections at such an influential gathering, as it comes at a time when we have great concern for the state of our fragile peace. As individual Christians, and as leaders in our respective Christian traditions, we are committed working towards a vision of an island of restored relationships, where all can flourish and fully participate in our common life.”

The seminar will also look at conflicts elsewhere in the world and the role faith leaders play in promoting peace–making and in working in partnership with governments and other stakeholders at a time when conflicts still continue to divide communities around the world.  It builds on a similar event held in 2018, when the Group of Church Leaders gathered in Rome to mark the 20th anniversary of the Agreement.

The visit will commence with an Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Waldenisan Church at Piazza Cavour based on a liturgy prepared by the Group to mark the anniversary.