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Repsonse by Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Robin Eames to the IRA arms initiative

Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Robin Eames said that the announcement of IRA arms represented "a massive step" for Irish republicanism.

The announcement could "become a major step towards a peaceful and just society if it heralds the end of all criminality and violence in future".

He urged that "all politicians reflect carefully on what has been stated and measure their response most carefully".

He added he fully respected and accepted the integrity and judgment of Fr Alec Reid and the Rev Harold Good, "who have offered such a clear picture of their experiences".

The president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Desmond Bain, welcomed "the fulfilling of the IRA promise to put the weapons beyond use. As a church we have always had confidence in Gen John de Chastelain and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and we totally respect the integrity of the observers and what they have said."

The arms initiative had "opened wide the door for progress towards better understanding and everyone now needs to work for the trust that will bring us all closer to the future of justice and peace that God intends," he concluded.