THE Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames, has strongly condemned the killing of the two RUC officers in Lurgan.
On behalf of the Church of Ireland, he said he was shocked and disgusted and expressed his sympathy with the families of the victims. "The entire law-abiding community will be united in its revulsion and condemnation. Tension already high will be further increased by this barbarous act. I appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the RUC immediately so that those responsible can have no hiding place.
"In these days of community apprehension, anger at such events as this must be expressed in ways which will lead us away from further violence and not diverted towards any increase in our apprehension and fear."
The Bishop of Dromore, the Right Rev Francis Gerard Brooks, said he was profoundly shocked, horrified and deeply saddened.
The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Norman W. Taggart, said no cause could justify such an action. "Any act of retaliation can only lead to further violence and bloodshed. This is a time for co-operation with the authorities in the interests of peace."
The STOP campaign, a peace movement established following the Canary Wharf explosion, has urged people to open books of condolence in their workplaces and send a floral tribute to the families of the victims. It called for a permanent end to the IRA campaign.
