Peter Burke, Minister for European affairs, and his UK counterpart Leo Docherty MP, opened a conference on 27 March marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Embassy of Ireland in London and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, supported by the Northern Ireland Office organised the event ‘25 Years on – Global and Local Reflections on the Good Friday Agreement.
The 25th Anniversary comes at a time when the prospect of violence over the status of Northern Ireland has once again made headline news as MI5 intelligence has led to the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland being raised from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
As minsters and the PSNI dealt with the development of increased threat, the Conference marking the 25th anniversary explored, "the transformation of relationships across these islands made possible by the Good Friday Agreement. It celebrated the work of those who made the Agreement possible, highlighted the support of international partners and looked ahead to the next phase of building peace."
At the conference which was attended by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, MP and Lord Caine, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Minister Burke stated :
"I was delighted to open this Conference alongside UK Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, MP, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
"Today’s event recognised the leadership that brought about the Good Friday Agreement. It highlighted that peace was made possible by brave leadership in Northern Ireland, by the Irish and UK Governments working in partnership, by steadfast friends and supporters internationally, and by the people of Northern Ireland.
"We cannot and do not take the gains made in the last 25 years for granted, nor do we underestimate our responsibility as a co-guarantor of the Agreement to build on the dividends of peace.”
Given that most of our leaders have rejected the ways of God, we must pray for them to receive the grace to act in ways that will lead to justice and peace. One Saint we can petition is the patron saint of Politicians, St Thomas More -
Let us pray: O Glorious St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Intercede for our Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life – the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
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