Sir, - The ceasefires of 1994 have offered a window of opportunity to all of us who live in Northern Ireland. In spite of many doubts they have largely held for 15 and 17 months respectively, and have enabled many significant changes to take place in the daily life of us all. However, they are not in themselves enough to generate a stable peace and more positive personal relationships between the different sections of our society, without which there is only greater imminent danger on all sides of disappointment and disillusionment with the peace process.
A particular responsibility rests on all our politicians to address this situation with urgency and open minds; but there is a no less urgent, real responsibility resting on ordinary citizens, the men and women in our several communities with our differing traditions, hopes and fears, to engage in active dialogue for better understanding of each other. This can't be done by keeping ourselves to ourselves, and one another at arm's length.
It is our hope and prayer that church members and church organisations might take the lead in this, not just bring up the rear; and might do so in the spirit of Christian humility, not pride or penitence, not self justification or reconciliation, not revenge. The religious urgency for such action is at least as great as the political.
As members of the Belfast South Presbytery Cross Community Committee we would welcome a response from persons or groups who may share the concerns we have expressed, whether they are church or community related, politically, socially or recreationally involved, with the aim of exploring further action to be taken in this situation. - Yours, etc.,
11 Strangford Avenue,
Belfast BT9 6PG.