UNIONISTS' actions at the opening of this week's multiparty talks were condemned and the efforts of senior Sinn Fein members to bring about an IRA ceasefire praised at the Methodist conference in Bangor, Co Down, yesterday.
There was also backing for Mr George Mitchell as speakers called for conciliation.
Dr David Gallagher, one of a private group of Methodists who held discussions with senior Sinn Fein members, said there was no place for "triumphalism, domination, exclusion, point scoring or the rubbishing of one another" in the peace process.
Presenting the Council of Social Responsibility's Northern Executive Report, he questioned the conduct of politicians.
"The talks may well prove to be historic but so far they have not been edifying to observe. Politicians would do well to remember that it is not their reputations at stake but the reputation and image of all of us which is being projected to an international audience."
Most of the invective had been targeted at Mr Mitchell, said Dr Gallagher, adding that some of those criticisms had been couched in fiercely sectarian and clearly cavalier terms.
Dr Gallagher said the church had been kept informed of the private discussions with Sinn Fein.
"I have no doubt that those with whom we have spoken, on one occasion a prolonged encounter of five hours, are genuine in their commitment to, and desire for, peace and reconciliation."
The Rev Harold Good of Belfast, another member of the team which met Sinn Fein, praised the courage of republicans working for an IRA ceasefire.
"In our conversations with republican representatives we came to realise that in republicanism there is a diverse community and to always speak of Sinn Fein IRA in one breadth is as unhelpful as it is inaccurate."
The Rev Jim Rea of east Belfast said it was impossible to reach an agreement with which everyone would be content. "I think we in Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland need to come to the conclusion that we will have to live with this agreement, we will have to live with difference, and we will have to, respect each other's differences."
He accused Northern Ireland's politicians of ignoring public opinion.
He said that the politics of political insult and the use of confrontational language were most unhelpful. He did not believe that, unionist politicians who engaged in that language were representative of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland, who wanted the language of conciliation.