07196
March 30, 2007

Stated Clerk encourages Northern Ireland leaders

Kirkpatrick calls power-sharing agreement a ‘beacon of hope’ to the world

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — The stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, has sent letters of appreciation to government and church leaders in Northern Ireland in the wake of this week’s agreement by the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein to form a power-sharing government.

     Kirkpatrick corresponded directly with the two signers of the March 26th agreement, the Rev. Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein.

     In addition, Kirkpatrick wrote to the general secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; the Roman Catholic archbishop in Northern Ireland; and to the leaders of the Alliance Party, Social Democratic and Labor Party, and Ulster Unionist Party.

     The full text of Kirkpatrick’s letter to Paisley and Adams:

I am writing on behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to express our profound appreciation to you for your role in helping to bring the Peace Process another critical step closer to full realization. Our church has prayed steadfastly over the past several decades for an end to the sectarian conflict that has been so costly to all of you, and we have worked in all the ways open to us to be supportive of the efforts that have led to this point.

We recognize that there are many other important steps that will need to be taken in the next six weeks to implement the commitments that you have made. We also know that for each of you, there are costs to be paid among your own constituencies for your courage in seeking a peaceful resolution to years of antagonism. We pray that God’s presence will surround you in the days ahead.

Please know that we remain committed to support you and others with our prayers and actions as you shape a new and brighter future for all the people of Northern Ireland. It is our conviction that to the degree genuine peace flowers among you, born of your own signal efforts and of the work of the Spirit of Almighty God, your achievements will serve as a beacon of hope to the many others around the globe who today are drowning in seas of animosity and violence.

May God bless you all as you complete the task set before you.