The Methodist Church in Ireland, through its President, the Rev David Turtle, and the Council on Social Responsibility, welcomes the political developments of the past week. We have been praying that the political logjam would be broken and are delighted that a functioning Stormont Executive has been restored. 

We wish to congratulate and offer our prayerful support to Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly in their joint appointment as First Minister and Deputy First Minister. We extend congratulations and offer our prayers for all those around the Executive table who have been entrusted with the responsibility of Office. 

As we together move forward into a new chapter in the governance of Northern Ireland, we would call on the Executive and all the members of the Assembly to:

• put the obvious needs of people before all other constitutional, electoral, party or personal interests

• seek to work towards a society that eliminates hunger, welcomes the stranger, clothes those in need, cares for the sick and visits those in their prison of hopelessness and estrangement

• commit ourselves, proactively and genuinely to cherish each individual and all communities by treating all citizens equally, fairly and justly.

Agreeing and delivering a programme for government which prioritises these needs is the urgent task before Executive. This must be a convincing, coherent and shared enterprise matched by realism and understanding that not all demands can be achieved in a three-year timeframe.

In the past week we have witnessed, and acknowledge warmly, the authentic, decisive, pragmatic and principled leadership from one party leader as he sought to ensure its return to a fully functioning Assembly; in the days ahead we hope to see, and will affirm with equal warmth, collective leadership which seeks to ensure, in partnership, a fully functioning society.

 We call on all, and our Methodist people in particular, to pray earnestly for all our political parties, the British and Irish Governments and the EU, that they may resolve outstanding issues and ensure sustainable, good government for all who live in Northern Ireland. 

ENDS