The views of Catholic laity and clergy on possible political development in the North were aired yesterday in the first official meeting between a unionist delegation and representatives of the Catholic Church. an Brady.
It was the first formal meeting involving unionists and the Catholic Hierarchy to take place in the Archbishop's Palace at St Patrick's Cathedral.
Mr Trimble and three Ulster Unionist Party colleagues were speaking to the Catholic group, led by the Primate of all Ireland, Archbishop Sean Brady, as part of their round of consultative talks. They were preparing for this weekend's decision by the party's executive on whether or not it will participate in talks involving Sinn Fein at Stormont next week.
The meeting was somewhat overshadowed by the weekend death of the Princess of Wales. Mr Trimble said after the meeting there would be no comment on the detail of the meeting out of respect to the Princess's family.
Mr Trimble said that while they waited to hear of the arrangements for the Princess's funeral his party would refrain from commenting on its consultative process.
It is understood the UUP executive meeting on Saturday will be postponed until after the funeral.
There is also considerable sensitivity within the Unionist leadership which is facing a difficult decision making process before September 9th's plenary talks session, which will now include Sinn Fein.
Some UUP members, including at least two MPs, are urging that Mr Trimble refuse to lead his party into the talks.
The Catholic Primate, who greeted Mr Trimble warmly at the door of the palace, also consented not to talk about what had been said during the 90-minute meeting. Both posed for photographers, shaking hands in the pathway outside the Archbishop's residence.
Dr Brady paid tribute to the Princess saying: "We remember great work for so many people, so graciously and generously given and that will continue to inspire people in these dark days of grief."
The meeting came about as a result of an approach by the UUP, seeking to hear Catholic clerical and lay opinion about the proposed talks process. It is understood the unionists indicated they wished to hear opinion from Catholic clergy across Northern Ireland as well as lay opinion.
The initial approach, it is understood, was made to the diocese of Down and Connor but it was passed on to the Armagh See.
The clerical delegation included the Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty; the Bishop of Dromore, Dr Gerard Brooks; and the Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Michael Dallat.
The Catholic lay members of the delegation were Ms Mary Lyons, chief executive of Sping dale Training, an organisation which provides training facilities for unemployed people from both communities in west Belfast; and Mr Rory Higgins, a Belfast solicitor and member of St Vincent de Paul Society.
The unionist delegation including the party chairman, Mr Denis Rogan; its vice-president and former Belfast Lord Mayor, Mr Reg Empey; and the co-ordinator of the consultative process, Mr Dermot Nesbitt.
In the two-week period of consultation, it is anticipated that the unionists will meet and talk to around 100 groups representing all religious and much of the cultural and political elements in the North.