The Catholic Primate has said he is currently unable to pledge his full support for the new policing arrangements in the North. Unionists have criticised his remarks.
In a BBC interview the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, insisted that there were still "roadblocks" to overcome before the nationalist community could endorse the new police service. He was, however, hopeful that the outstanding issues could be resolved.
"We need patience, great patience. This prize has been a long time coming. Better get it right than get it quick. The elements must be in place," Dr Brady said.
"I'm not saying that just for myself. I know from listening to people around. They are saying, because of this difficult history in the past, they are suspicious, there's great distrust. They want to be sure it is right."
He was particularly concerned about emblems, the power of the new policing board and issues of "transparency" regarding past events such as the killings of Mr Pat Finucane, shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989, and of Mr Robert Hamill, kicked to death by a loyalist mob in Portadown in 1997.
His comments were criticised by the Ulster Unionist security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis. He said it was "interesting and not a little frustrating" that Dr Brady was able to express his feelings about policing in "such unequivocal and uncompromising terms" which were "in startling contrast to his articulation of the case for total disarmament of all terrorist weapons".
The archbishop's remarks were "devoid of generosity" towards the unionist community, which had accepted so many compromises in recent times, Mr Maginnis added.
The Enterprise Minister, Sir Reg Empey of the Ulster Unionists, expressed "profound disappointment" at Dr Brady's comments. If the archbishop's position reflected that of pannationalism, it would have far reaching implications for the peace process, he added.
"It appears to me that some people are still willing to have 100 per cent of nothing instead of being prepared to compromise.
"By insisting on having everything their way, nationalists are in danger of driving the peace process off the road and playing into the hands of dissident republicans," Sir Reg concluded.
The DUP Minister for Regional Development, Mr Gregory Campbell, said it was "absolutely abominable and reprehensible for any senior churchman of any description to issue the kind of statement that Archbishop Brady has issued today."
An SDLP MLA, Mr Alban Maginness, said the Archbishop's remarks were "reflective" of those held by the entire Catholic community.