From Archbishop Robin Eames (Ireland)

Armagh, December 1999

My dear Colleagues,

For many years I have asked you to pray for the situation of violence, terrorism and division in Northern Ireland. Those prayers so willingly offered in your Provinces have strengthened and sustained us here in so many ways. Your support in practical ways have meant a great deal to all of us.

As you will have been informed in the media Northern Ireland has taken great steps in the past few months to establish political structures which have gone far to ending the violence and producing power-sharing government. The pace of change has been immense. The guns are silent and former adversaries have begun the process of co-operative responsibility for political leadership. We thank God for what has been achieved already while recognising so much has yet to be put in place.

The Church has come through years of trial in which this small part of our Communion has suffered greatly through loss of life and trauma. I thank God for the faithful work, witness and vision of devoted clergy and people.

This Christmas we dare to hope that we have begun a process which can lead to peace, justice and stability. But the challenge to the Church to be the courageous voice of prophecy and healing in a society where the consequences of 30 years of violence have left a devastating mark on too many lives is great. Hurt abounds...

In thanking you and your Province for your prayers and in sharing this 'progress report' with you all I ask you to continue to remember us as exciting but demanding new challenges present themselves to us as we continue to seek reconciliation.

We are conscious that while the past years have been so daunting to us here when compared with the needs of other parts of this world they pale into insignificance. Our prayers continue for our brothers and sisters in places of violence, injustice and need.

Thank you all for all you have done to support us in Northern Ireland.

May God's peace and love be with you all this Christmas.

Yours in His service,

+ Robin