In a pastoral Letter read during the service at Drumcree Parish Church last Sunday morning, I included the following words: "I ask you in the name of the God you are worshipping to make your protest in a dignified and lawful manner, to respect the things of God and to do nothing nor permit anything to happen which will allow those with evil intent to make use of your protest".

This theme was reflected in many calls from community leaders, church leaders, politicians, the Chief Constable of the RUC, leading articles in the media and, most significantly of all, by the leaders of the Orange Order itself.

At times, one feels such appeals fall on deaf ears in Northern Ireland, but in the past few days there has been an absence of serious violence on the hill at Drumcree and across the community in general. Much of the foreboding leading up to last Sunday has remained unfulfilled. For this in the midst of the traditional July tensions, we are thankful to Almighty God.

Once more at the invitation of the rector and select vestry of Drumcree, Portadown Orangemen and women attended this service to remember the sacrifice of the Somme. As we all know, violence following this event in recent years has plunged this long-suffering community into chaos.

This year, as I write, Northern Ireland breathes more easily. Attention turns to the political talks at Weston Park, but to date the problems being addressed there do not take place in the shadow of a violent Drumcree.

Much has contributed to this relative peace, not least attempts at mediation and continuing efforts of encouragement to the two parties to seek engagement. Weariness with what is perceived by many to be an intractable problem where intransigence rules has played a part.

But I believe the real change has come about because it is slowly dawning that some form of engagement is the only way to move the problem forward. There are many ways through which that could be achieved. The evidence of recent days is sufficient to suggest real hope that we may be moving towards a solution. Pray God that is true.

Tragically, the relative peace at Drumcree/Garvaghy Road must be placed in perspective. The recent agony of the Cummings family in Antrim, the attacks on Protestant and Roman Catholic churches and the tension in loyalist and nationalist areas remind us all is far from well in this divided community. Sectarianism is alive and well, and there are too many willing to bring violence back to our streets.

As a community we have come a long way, but no one doubts how far we have still to travel. Drumcree is a cameo of that road. Garvaghy Road is a symptom of that journey. Neither can be separated from the wider picture, and to find a solution locally would be a giant step towards solving larger issues.

Trust and respect across the communities have been casualties of the tragic events of recent years in Northern Ireland. Courageous efforts to build bridges, not least by the churches, have been and continue to be made.

Simplistic and predictable it may be, but each community must find new trust in each other. If I may again quote from my words to the Orange Order last Sunday: "I am deeply aware of the feelings of those who differ from you. They, too, have their fears and uncertainties. They, too, have their rights. They, too, are children of the same God. Somehow under God we have got to find a new way of trusting and respecting each other".

The Church of Ireland has suffered in the eyes of many through its association with the Drumcree service. Opinions vary widely within its membership, North and South. But the Church of Ireland has learned much about itself as it has struggled with the implications and perceptions of Drumcree.

The contrast, on the one hand, between the picture of a country parish caught once a year in the world's headlines and associated with confrontation, and on the other, the bridge-building, attempts at increasing understanding between the traditions, inter-church co-operation and encouragement of reconciliation so obvious in the Church of Ireland at large, remind us of the greater reality.

That reality speaks of a church suffering with a local community, while fully involving itself in a new era of understanding among Christians, but also holding fast to the call of Christ to minister within an Ireland which prays for life beyond the Drumcrees and the Garvaghy Roads.

I have to say it yet again. The Church of Ireland condemns, dissociates itself from and utterly refutes any violence, displays of paramilitarism, any words or actions injurious to any other community associated with the protest at Drumcree.

I have been privileged to see at first hand the efforts being made to solve "this local problem". I remain ready to do anything I can to encourage a solution, as both parties know well. I believe the attitudes we saw on all sides last Sunday augur well for progress. Such a solution might seem to some to be a small step in the face of the wider problems, but history reminds us that it is often the first small step that counts in the long run.

The Most Rev Dr Robin Eames is Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland