Leaders of the main churches in Northern Ireland have pressed Secretary of State Hilary Benn to clarify the government’s approach to dealing with the region’s troubled past.
Mr Benn met with the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh, Presbyterian Moderator, Methodist President and the President of the Irish Council of Churches in Belfast on Wednesday.
It was their first liaison with Mr Benn since he was appointed to the role in July following Labour’s victory at the general election.
During a meeting where the aftermath of Brexit and the stability of devolved government were also discussed, the church leaders said they emphasised to Mr Benn that he needs to provide greater clarity around legacy.
Members of the Church leaders group met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and officials and emphasised that more clarity needs to be provided around legacy
Political parties and victim groups were almost universally opposed to the previous government’s Legacy Act, which halted inquests into events from the Troubles and set up the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
Labour had indicated it would repeal the Act, however, the new Government is continuing with the ICRIR and is challenging a critical judgment by the Court of Appeal in Belfast on the Legacy Act.
In a statement, the church leaders said they highlighted to the Secretary of State the stress and anxiety that has been caused to victims and survivors because of the policy of the last UK government.
“We also emphasised that his government needed to provide greater clarity as to its approach to legacy, ensuring that there was no unnecessary policy drift, nor any impression given that there was a de facto hierarchy of victims,” they said.
The church leaders said it had been a “useful” engagement, adding they raised with Mr Benn the challenges that remain for Northern Ireland in the evolving relationship with the European Union since Brexit.
“We also discussed the importance of the ongoing stability of the devolved settlement,” they said.
“This included not just the political stability of the devolved institutions themselves, but also their financial stability through long-term and needs-based financial funding from the UK Exchequer.
“Only when such financial arrangements are in place on a multi-year basis, will the Executive be able to deal with the significant systemic problems in public services, which includes health, welfare, education and infrastructure.
“While we recognised that the recent UK Budget had some positives, it was important for us to highlight that some measures would have a disproportionate effect in Northern Ireland.”