The North has reached a turning point and is now heading "away from the abyss", Cardinal Cahal Daly said last night in Belfast.
The Catholic Primate joined 120 Methodist believers from Russia, Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria, as well as the leaders of the other three main Irish churches, in an ecumenical gathering at the city's Stranmillis College.
Cardinal Daly pointed to the long history of religious tolerance shown by Methodist leaders and in particular praised the stance taken by John Wesley 250 years ago. Wesley said "Have patience with Ireland and she will reward you," the Cardinal said.