Loyalist Decommissioning - Methodist Church Response

The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Rev. Donald P Ker on hearing the news of the decommissioning of weapons by Loyalist paramilitaries has issued the following statement:

I welcome the news that the Loyalist Paramilitary Groups have decommissioned their weapons. This is a very significant step.

I would encourage all those in leadership in loyalism to continue to work for the well-being of loyalist communities that have suffered, with many other communities, from a lack of investment due to our conflict on this island.

As a church we hope that this significant step in removing the gun from politics on this island will allow our political differences to be settled by dialogue and open honest discussion. To that end we plead with all in Northern Ireland to speak and act in a manner that will reduce sectarian and racist tensions in the community rather than exacerbate them.

Contact: Rev. Donald P Ker  90324554 or 92674796

Issued by: Rev. Roy Cooper (07710945104)
Communications Officer, Methodist Church in Ireland.