The Catholic primate of all Ireland, Archbishop Sean Brady, has stressed the importance of a "new relationship" between the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein. In his Easter message yesterday, Dr Brady said "nothing was more important in the peace process than this relationship", which had to be based on "trust and respect".
"The Hillsborough declaration reminds us of the opportunity provided by the Good Friday agreement to transcend the bitter legacy of the past and to transform relationships. The only real protection we can get from future violence will come from a new relationship between Catholics and Protestants, nationalists and unionists, republicans and loyalists," the archbishop added.
"This declaration comes at a time of great hope as a result of last year's Good Friday agreement. It also comes now at a time of deep suffering and fear in the Catholic community. The murder of Rosemary Nelson has been the worst cause of this fear, but there have been other causes. I know that there are deep fears among Protestants that their faith and culture will not be respected in the Northern Ireland of the future. Everybody fears in case the ceasefires do not last."
Dr Brady expressed the hope the acts of reconciliation and remembrance would provide a "true healing of memories".
"The proposed ceremonies of remembrance of all victims of violence can, hopefully, provide an opportunity to honestly remember and confront the shared tragedy we have experienced."
In his Easter message, the Presbyterian Moderator, Dr John Dixon, welcomed the recognition of the importance of reconciliation in the Hillsborough declaration. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster during a current visit to Brazil, Dr Dixon said he felt "humbled" by the fact that it was the politicians who were "calling the nation to recognise spiritual realities".
"It may be an admission that we, the churches, have not done as much in the whole area of reconciliation or living out the Gospel as we ought to have."
He urged political leaders to "keep searching for an answer" and all the people of Northern Ireland to "encourage" them.