Deep divisions are apparent among delegates at the Presbyterian Church's General Assembly in Belfast as they debated the attendance of the city's Sinn Féin Lord Mayor at its opening night.
In one of his first public engagements since being elected as Belfast's first republican lord mayor last week, Mr Alex Maskey was present at the Assembly's opening on Monday night in keeping with the church's tradition of inviting the city's first citizen to the event.
Many delegates, however, felt the decision to invite Mr Maskey had caused deep hurt and disgust among Presbyterians.
An original amendment apologising to church members for not withdrawing the invitation was further amended to express the church's "love and understanding" to those hurt by the Sinn Féin Lord Mayor's attendance.
The latter amendment was passed almost unanimously following a heated debate.
Proposing the original amendment, the Rev Joseph Andrews, from Ballymena, Co Antrim, said while it had not been the fault of the church's business committee not to withdraw the long-standing invitation, it was nonetheless necessary to recognise the hurt caused to many people who had lost loved ones at the hands of republican paramilitaries.
"Are we big enough and strong enough to offer apologies to our people?" he asked.
The Rev William Bingham, from Pomeroy, Co Antrim, said people had been deeply disturbed by Mr Maskey's presence.
"We haven't got a say on who becomes mayor but we do have a say on who is invited to this hall," he said.
"We have a solemn responsibility to the victims of Sinn Féin/IRA violence over the past 30 years.
"I hope many here today are ashamed and I hope the same mistake will not be made again next year," he added.
The Rev Stephen Dickinson. from Glenarm, Co Antrim, said Mr Maskey's attendance had insulted the memory of all Presbyterians killed by the IRA.
"This assembly gave Mr Maskey a credibility he didn't deserve as a civic figure.
"He was entertained with tea and buns while Protestants and Catholics lay dead in cemeteries across the province killed by his colleagues."
Speaking against the original amendment and seconding the amended version, the outgoing Moderator, Dr Alistair Dunlop, said nobody was trying to deny that hurt might have been caused by Mr Maskey's attendance. However, the church's real mission was to lead all people to God.
"I, too, have worn a uniform. I, too, have carried a coffin," Dr Dunlop said in an emotional address.
"But this is not the way to deal with the pastoral hurt in people's hearts.
"Christ died for us while we were still his enemies - that is the bottom line."
The Rev Carrie Barnett, from Belmont Presbyterian Church in east Belfast, said people had to accept that Mr Maskey was the democratically-elected Lord Mayor of the city.
"Democracy is very important to this church," she said.
"I am proud that we invited the properly-elected mayor of this city and I appreciate Alex Maskey's courage for coming.
"I was proud of my church that there didn't seem to be a voice against him last night, and I am saddened by what has been said here today."