Church of Ireland bishops today encourage the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to "persist with the political process" in Northern Ireland, despite its challenges.
In a statement following a meeting with a UUP delegation, the bishops also expressed the hope that the party would continue to talk with the Church of Ireland "on many levels".
"Our meeting with members of the UUP today was one of a series of meetings which we have held with political parties in Northern Ireland," the statement said.
"It was an opportunity to continue to build dialogue at a season when, traditionally, Christian churches recall the values of goodwill, the desire for peace the imperative to share the good news of Christ."
The issues raised by the bishops included the UUP's plan to engage further with the political process, their proposals to address issues such as economic regeneration, issues to do with policing and controversial social legislation, the statement added.
"The bishops expressed their hope that the UUP would continue to talk with the Church of Ireland on many levels. The Bishops encouraged the UUP to persist with the political process despite the challenges that it poses."
In the church delegation were the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Right Revd Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher and the Right Revd Kenneth Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.