Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland,
ARCHBISHOP Eamon Martin says political instability in the North of Ireland is hurting the most vulnerable in society.
The Derry-born Catholic Primate of Ireland co-signed a statement with mainstream Protestant church leaders have urge politicians to take a “critical opportunity” to restore hope.
The five main political parties – Sinn Fein, SDLP, DUP, UUP and Alliance started talks yesterday to break the Stormont deadlock.
Archbishops Martin and his Protestant colleagues said a plan was needed to “to rebuild trust and advance the work of reconciliation”.
They added that the current instability at Stormont was bringing “further anxiety” to people “struggling to cope on low incomes”.
Those who also signed the statement were: Rev Brian Anderson, the head of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Church of Ireland Archbishop Richard Clarke, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ian McNie, and Dr Donald Watts, who presides over the Irish Council of Churches, signed the joint statement.
They said political leaders had to draw up “effective measures to address poverty and socio-economic inequality”.
“Threats to the peace process are most keenly felt in those areas that benefited least from the progress of recent years,” the statement added.
“In addition to uncertainty about the impact of welfare reform, cuts to essential public services and the failure to agree a budget for future service provision have significant implications for the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Talks between the parties are scheduled to continue on today, Tuesday, September 22.
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