Dr Connell praises `noble dedication and exhausting labours' of negotiators

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, has praised the "exhausting labours and noble dedication" of those who were involved in the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement.

Speaking in the Pro-cathedral at yesterday's Easter morning Mass, he said of the negotiators: "They have confronted with courage the historical accumulation of grievance, misunderstanding, profound and conflicting personal aspirations and loyalties and the fear of weakness in upholding precious tradition."

They deserved to succeed in their task, which was of "crucial importance to us all, and we join in expressing our gratitude and congratulations to them", he said. "May the hearts on which our future depends remain open to one another in generosity, forgiveness and acceptance of sacrifice for the sake of the peace we desire," he said.

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, thanked God that the politicians from all the different strands of politics both in Ireland and Britain, not forgetting civil servants and advisers involved, had, after all, had their strenuous efforts crowned with success. "So often much cynicism about our politicians is expressed by not a few citizens in our society," he said, "but I hope that even they will recognise the courage, skill and determination exercised by them on this occasion."

Speaking in Christ Church Cathedral yesterday morning, he commented that some of the politicians were "looking down the road to the destruction of their political lives, yet for the good of all they pressed on to the conclusion."

Paying tribute to the Taoiseach in particular, Dr Empey said he had "a vivid memory" of Mr Ahern's many journeys to Belfast and back during the week between the ceremonies in which his mother was laid to rest.

"It was a powerful example of his commitment to the peace process and only the most die-hard of his political opponents could fail to salute him for his courage and tenacity," he said.

Much remained to be done, he continued, and it was now up to the ordinary citizens, North and South, to accept or reject what had been accomplished.

"It is up to us to talk, to listen and especially to pray that our decisions may be the right ones," he said. It would be a difficult time leading up to the referendums, and people should not be carried away by euphoria. "Above all, we need to bear in mind and in prayer all those who have been bereaved, all those who have been injured, physically or mentally, during the long years of violence," he said. He concluded his remarks on the agreement by saying that "for today we give thanks to God for the hope we now have of peace in our land. It is a time of great thanksgiving."

At the beginning of his address yesterday Dr Empey welcomed the return to the cathedral of the Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev John Paterson, who recently underwent a successful heart transplant operation at the Mater Hospital.