The Church of Ireland
Press Release

In a statement Archbishop Robin Eames tonight welcomed the IRA decision on arms and said: “No one who has lived through the long years of terrorism in Northern Ireland can fail to welcome the decision of the IRA.

“Given the history of Irish Republicanism this is an historic moment. But the real battle for hearts and minds in all communities is what faces us now. I have always said that reaction to decommissioning is as important as the action itself.

“As we struggle to put the past behind us it is time for statesmanship by politicians, for courage by those who have bitter and tragic memories and for a reaching-out which will bring us all peace and stability in the future.

“Loyalist paramilitaries must take seriously this new situation and move rapidly towards their own decommissioning. I pray this is a real turning point, which will reveal possibilities we can all grasp.

“Progress without terrorism must be the legitimate dream of this entire community.”